In oral magic according to classic division there are two forms of
formula - basma and bajalica. Basma is a shorter form,
usually with one or two verses, which has to be repeated several times while bajalica
is a longer textual form. Though more rare there are bajalice with more
than twenty verses. Though some anthropologists are prone of connecting basma
with basna, I wouldn't agree with such a claim. It is obvious that
the idea for this comparison was based on the similarity of the words, we are
literally talking about the change of letter M into N or vice versa, but when
we analyse the meaning of basna i.e. that it is in its formulation
"a short story in prose or verse whose main characters are animals",
then we come to a conclusion that basna has no connection to basma.
But, there is a very interesting Persian word which mentioned in certain
love formulas and it is baht or luck, destiny. Namely, in any form, love
or exorcist, with the purpose of healing, basma has a task to influence
on the present state or destiny and change i.e. allow luck in love (marriage)
to a boy or girl or recovery to a diseased. All these actions are actually a
desire to magically try and influence the future, in order for it to be
positive, therefore it is logical to connect the origin of the word basma
with the word bahat and not bring it in connection with basna.
Similarly, we shouldn't forget to mention the folk name for a fortune teller or
witch - bahornica or bahorica, whose root comes from the word baht.
In the end doesn't surprise if we recall that even the concept of magic
practice i.e. čaranje (from čare - mesmerize, fascinate), come
from the Persian language.
