To the study of plot-forming motifs in the Jangar epic

(based on the Sart-Kalmyk, Xinjiang-Oirat and Kalmyk versions)

Abstract

For the first time, a comparative analysis of a number of plot-forming epic motifs in the Sart-Kalmyk, Xinjiang-Oirat and Kalmyk versions of the Jangar epic is presented. The material for the research was an unpublished typewritten text of the Sart-Kalmyk version of the Jangar heroic epic in the original language, written down by A. V. Burdukov in 1929 from the narrator Bakhi Sarpekov. The text consists mainly of fragments, if not three independent songs, then two without a beginning. For comparison, the published songs of the Kalmyk and Xinjiang-Oirat versions of the Jangar epic were used, as well as the personal field notes of the authors of the Olet version of the Jangar epic. The plots of the compared songs are devoted to the description of the struggle of the heroes with the enemies-mangas. A number of similar plot-forming epic motifs are traced: the motif of breaking the hero's spear (in the Sart-Kalmyk text of the epic, as in the Xinjiang-Oirat version, the hydronyms Ili and Tekes are mentioned); the ultimatum motif (in the Sart-Kalmyk text of the epic, as well as in the Xinjiang-Oirat version, the enemy requires three valuable objects, while giving the right to choose); the motif of the heroic fight (in the Sart-Kalmyk Jangar, the motif of the heroic fight is highlighted, which is very briefly stated in the comparison with other versions of the epic); the motif of the hero arrival in his home land (in the Sart-Kalmyk version, the young hero meets the Avai Gerel She-Khan, as in the Xinjiang-Oirat version of the epic); the motif of giving a name (in the Sart-Kalmyk Jangar the boy-hero is given the name by Jangar in the presence of all nutuk and Jangar gives him his horse Burkhan Zerde), the motif of healing (in the Sart-Kalmyk version, the chaste Avay Gerel She-Khan heals the hero). As a result of the analysis, interpretations and differentiating elements of some epic motifs of the Sart-Kalmyk version of the Jangar epic, associated with their local tradition, were established, and the similarity in the epic narration (images, motifs, plots, etc.) of the Sart-Kalmyk version with other versions was revealed, primarily with Xinjiang-Oirat (Olet) one.

Acknowledgements: The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-012-00537 А.

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