Karachay-Balkarian toponymy as a means of accumulation and storage of ethnocultural information
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2025.2.16Keywords:
toponym; Karachay-Balkar language; Turkic language; ethnocultural information; TengrismAbstract
The article examines Karachay-Balkar toponyms that contain ethnocultural information. The groups of toponyms based on associative connections with religious life, historical events, interethnic contacts, spiritual culture, natural resources, and similar factors possess the most distinct ethnocultural content. The research is based on 123 geographical object names recorded in various publications.
The toponyms are analyzed according to the types of ethnocultural information verbalized in the geographical names, which are categorized into groups. The first group demonstrates that, prior to the adoption of Islam by the Karachays and Balkars, their beliefs constituted a mixture of elements of medieval Christianity with primitive religious notions and rituals. The pagan beliefs of the Karachays and Balkars are primarily associated with Tengrism, which played a significant role in shaping ancient Turkic culture.
The second group reflects historical events that took place in Karachay-Balkaria. The third group illustrates interethnic contacts in the region, which were shaped by labor migration, trade relations, and mixed marriages.
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For citation:
Bashieva S. K. and Bakhtikireeva U. M. Karachay-Balkarian toponymy as a means of accumulation and storage of ethnocultural information. New Research of Tuva, 2025, no. 2, pp. 280-289. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2025.2.16
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Author Biographies
Svetlana K. Bashieva, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov
Doctor of Philology, Professor, Head, Department of Russian Language and General Linguistics, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov.
Postal address: 173 Chernyshevsky St., Nalchik, 360004, Russia.
E-mail: bfo-pdo@mail.ru
Uldanai M. Bakhtikireeva, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov, RUDN University
Doctor of Philology, Professor, Visiting Professor, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov;
Professor, Department of Russian Language and Intercultural Communication, Institute of Russian Language, RUDN University.
Postal addresses: 173 Chernyshevsky St., Nalchik, 360004, Russia; 10A Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198, Russia, Moscow.
E-mail: uldanai@mail.ru
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