Tuvan folklore and literature about commercial hunting of Tuvans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2025.3.4Keywords:
hunting; Tuvans; Tuvan folklore; Tuvan literature; Tuvan cultureAbstract
The article examines the role of commercial hunting in the traditional culture of the Tuvans and its reflection in Tuvan folklore and literature. Hunting is analyzed not only as a key sector of economic activity that ensured the survival of families and clan communities, but also as a vital element of the people’s ecological and spiritual culture. Special attention is given to the ritual aspects of hunting, including offerings to spirits, words of gratitude addressed to the master of the taiga, as well as taboos and euphemisms in hunting vocabulary related to mythological concepts of nature.
The authors provide a systematization of the most characteristic references to hunting found in various genres of Tuvan folklore (myths, legends, blessings) and in works by contemporary authors. The analysis considers texts in which hunting appears as a constant and essential occupation of the main characters, and traditional rituals and norms intended to preserve the balance between humans and nature are described. The article presents examples of folklore narratives in which hunting is accompanied by appeals to spirits, the observance of taboos, and the expression of respect for animals and the environment.
It is emphasized that the themes and motifs of hunting are deeply integrated into the oral and written heritage of the Tuvan people, reflecting their worldview, ecological attitudes, and cultural values.
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Mongush Sh. V. and Kuular E. M. Tuvan folklore and literature about commercial hunting of Tuvans. New Research of Tuva, 2025, no. 3, pp. 55-68. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2025.3.4
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