Magic assistants in the Kalmyk and Tuvan epics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2019.4.14Keywords:
Kalmyk epic; Jangar; Tuvan epic; Khunan-Kara; fairy-tale motif; magic assistantAbstract
The article analyzes archaic roots of the Kalmyk epic of Jangar traced in the Song of Khara Kines (included in the latter) and the Tuvan legend of Khunan Kara. The paper examines the category of magic assistants – miraculous skills of the epic characters and ones in the forms of humans, animals and other helpful characters.
The comparative analysis of the Song of Khara Kines included in the early Baga Tsokhor Cycle of the Kalmyka epic and the Tuvan legend of Khunan-Kara concludes the former is actually based on nuclear archaic elements of preceding epic systems. The epic sets forth personified skills of its characters rather than those of magic assistants. The epic characters can turn into lousy boys and possess magic attributes, which mirrors the archaic initiation rituals.
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How to Cite
Ubushieva D. V. Magic assistants in the Kalmyk and Tuvan epics. The New Research of Tuva. 2019, № 4. URL: https://nit.tuva.asia/nit/article/view/892 (access date ...). DOI: 10.25178/nit.2019.4.14
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Author Biography
Danara V. Ubushieva, Kalmyk Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences
Candidate of Philology, Senior Research Associate, Department of Mongolian Philology, Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Postal address: 8 Ilishkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation.
Tel.: +7 (84722) 3-55-06.
E-mail: bib.danara@yandex.ru
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