Mythoritual representations of the Northern Mansi about the water spirits Vit Khōn and Vit Khōn Āgi
English
journal number:
Journal’s Subject Headings:
History, ethnography, archeology
About author:
Leading Researcher, Ob-Ugric Institute of Applied Researches and Development (628011, Russian Federation, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Khanty-Mansiysk, Mira st., 14A), Candidate of Historical Sciences, Member-correspondent of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
Introduction: there was such form of religion as the animistic cult in the traditional culture of the Mansi in the past. The main parts of it were beliefs in spirits-masters of waters and forests. The research is devoted to the description and characterisation of mythological and religious characters, symbolizing the Water spirit. Its different images and functions are revealed through analysis of folklore texts and rituals. Included field materials introduce the new data into scientific circulation. Materials of the article are in demand and will find practical application in the activities of institutions of culture related to preservation of the heritage of indigenous peoples of the Okrug. They can also be used in the educational institutions of the Okrug as a regional component.
Objective: the Water spirit is represented by mythological and religious characters of Mansi Pantheon, which have different statuses, forms of worship, age gradations, gender differences, etc. Therefore, the objective of the research is to identify and describe the images personifying the Water spirit and their functions on the basis of folklore texts, rituals and field materials of the author.
Research materials: for the first time into scientific circulation the series of the records of field materials about the female Water spirit was included, made by the author in the territories of her worship: Nizhnee Nildino – Ūray pāvyl (1994, 2017), Verkhnee Nildino (2014) of Beryozovsky District of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra. For the analysis of texts published folklore collections were included.
Results and novelty of the research: in the tradition of the Mansi Vit Khōn ‘Water king’ and Vit Khōn gi ‘Water king’s daughter’ are both the mythical characters and representatives of religious beliefs. Each of them has autonomous functions, independent participation in the “life” of natural objects and appropriate worship. In the Northern group of the Mansi the representations about local spirits-masters of water spaces – territorial and settlements – are on the foreground.
Key words: mythological characters, religious representations, rites, Vit Khōn, Vit Khōn gi, Vitkashh, Water spirit.
For citation: Popova S.A. Mythoritual representations of the Northern Mansi about the water spirits Vit Khōn and Vit Khōn gi // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric studies. 2018; 8(1): 155–162.
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
Introduction: there was such form of religion as the animistic cult in the traditional culture of the Mansi in the past. The main parts of it were beliefs in spirits-masters of waters and forests. The research is devoted to the description and characterisation of mythological and religious characters, symbolizing the Water spirit. Its different images and functions are revealed through analysis of folklore texts and rituals. Included field materials introduce the new data into scientific circulation. Materials of the article are in demand and will find practical application in the activities of institutions of culture related to preservation of the heritage of indigenous peoples of the Okrug. They can also be used in the educational institutions of the Okrug as a regional component.
Objective: the Water spirit is represented by mythological and religious characters of Mansi Pantheon, which have different statuses, forms of worship, age gradations, gender differences, etc. Therefore, the objective of the research is to identify and describe the images personifying the Water spirit and their functions on the basis of folklore texts, rituals and field materials of the author.
Research materials: for the first time into scientific circulation the series of the records of field materials about the female Water spirit was included, made by the author in the territories of her worship: Nizhnee Nildino – Ūray pāvyl (1994, 2017), Verkhnee Nildino (2014) of Beryozovsky District of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra. For the analysis of texts published folklore collections were included.
Results and novelty of the research: in the tradition of the Mansi Vit Khōn ‘Water king’ and Vit Khōn gi ‘Water king’s daughter’ are both the mythical characters and representatives of religious beliefs. Each of them has autonomous functions, independent participation in the “life” of natural objects and appropriate worship. In the Northern group of the Mansi the representations about local spirits-masters of water spaces – territorial and settlements – are on the foreground.
Key words: mythological characters, religious representations, rites, Vit Khōn, Vit Khōn gi, Vitkashh, Water spirit.
For citation: Popova S.A. Mythoritual representations of the Northern Mansi about the water spirits Vit Khōn and Vit Khōn gi // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric studies. 2018; 8(1): 155–162.
