Стеллажи Этнография Modern level of preservation of traditional world view of Evenks of Yakutia and the Amur region

Софья Сорокина

Modern level of preservation of traditional world view of Evenks of Yakutia and the Amur region

During the field study of not ritual Evenki folklore were interviewed over 50 informants from the village Olenyok, Iengra (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) and the village Bomnak (Amur Region), were collected more than 130 stories (including Evenki language), refined Evenki terms associated with the theme of the study. The collected material suggests that today the traditional beliefs of Evenki saved thanks existence of stories about encounters with the spirits of their ancestors, nature spirits, the spirits of the lower world, inexplicable phenomena of nature. Stories Ulgury perceived by representatives of Evenki culture as authentic history. It’s very widespread. Existence and content of such stories indicates that the spiritual foundations of the Evenki preserved, despite the fact that other genres of folklore (myths, epics, tales) disappeared from everyday life.

Analysis of field materials showed that all unusual occurrences are perceived as a bad omen. Archaic worldview embodied in the complex of bad sign, recorded during the expedition. Belief in the existence of spirits, the need to interact with them contributes to the conservation of ritual activity. Respect to the spirits and the fear of them entail compliance with customs odjo and prohibitions ӈēlemu.

The field study significantly complements the available information about the characters of Evenki mythology, allowed to specify particular mythological Evenki worldview. The collected material makes a significant contribution to the description of the modern Evenki folklore. Recorded stories and signs have not been previously recorded and classified as a special genre. In addition, the timely collection of the widely accepted among the Evenki folklore contributes to the preservation of historical and cultural heritage of this indigenous people, traditional culture and language of which are endangered.

Sorokina S.. Modern level of preservation of traditional world view of Evenks of Yakutia and the Amur region
На английском языке
Sorokina S. Modern level of preservation of traditional world view of Evenks of Yakutia and the Amur region // Arctic Dialogue in the Global World. — Ulan-Ude: 2015. — P. 229–232.