Typological Similarity and Ethnocultural Specificity of Kazakh and Tuvan Etiological Myths
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2026.2.10Keywords:
Kazakh mythology, Tuvan mythology, comparative analysis, etiological myth, folklore, mythological worldview, system of imagesAbstract
The article presents a comparative-typological analysis of etiological myths of the Kazakh and Tuvan peoples, aimed at identifying their worldview foundations, as well as common and specific typological features. The authors examine myths associated with the images and motifs of lightning, thunder, the morning star, evergreen trees, the theme of differences between humans and animals, and various processes of metamorphosis.
Among the shared characteristics of the myths of both peoples are reverence for nature, the capacity of animals to speak, the initial equality of humans and animals, and a mythological logic of cause and effect. It is noted that the mythological worldview of the two peoples has deep historical roots and relies on common archaic models for comprehending nature, the cosmos, the animal world, and human existence.
Attention is paid to the differences. In Kazakh mythology, Islamic worldview and moral-ethical evaluation predominate, which imparts an educational and didactic character to the myths. In Tuvan mythology, shamanic, animistic, and magical concepts have been preserved to a greater extent, and phenomena of the surrounding world are explained by the direct influence of mystical forces. The article concludes that these differences were formed under the influence of the historical, cultural, and religious conditions of each people’s life.
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For citation:
Nabiolla N., Zhylkybayev D. and Seitzhanov Z. Typological Similarity and Ethnocultural Specificity of Kazakh and Tuvan Etiological Myths. New Research of Tuva, 2026, no. 2, pp. 148-161. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2026.2.10
Author Biographies
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Nassikhat Nabiolla M. O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art
Researcher, Department of Folklore Studies, M. O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art.
Postal address: 9 Kurmangazy St., Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, 050000.
E-mail: nasihat_83@mail.ru
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Doskhan Zhylkybayev M. O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art
Researcher, Department of Folklore Studies, M. O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art.
Postal address: 9 Kurmangazy St., Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, 050000.
E-mail: doskhan.zhq@mail.ru
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Zufar Seitzhanov Farabi University
Doctor of Philology, Professor, Department of Kazakh Literature and Theory of Literature, Faculty of Philology, Farabi University.
Postal address: 71 Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040.
E-mail: asegizbayeva_84@mail.ru
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