Sound / voice as a special type of ritual communication
English
journal number:
Journal’s Subject Headings:
History, ethnography, archeology
About author:
Ob-Ugric Institute of Applied Researches and Development, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation, [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Introduction: the article reveals the importance of the human voice in the establishment of acoustic mental communication channels between the worlds in the traditional representations of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The article considers the
ritual regulation of sound behavior, etymology and form of sound information in culture. The article gives an idea of the specifics, essence and forms of sound communication as an acoustic marker of the traditional culture of the Khanty, Mansi and Nenets.
Objective: to reveal the semiotic functions of the voice in the ritual practice of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds.
Research materials: published materials on ethnography, folklore texts, oral reports of informants.
Results and novelty of the research: the forms, place and circumstances of human appeals to the gods (cry, exclamation, onomatopoeia, whistle) are analyzed from the point of view of ritual behavior. The functions of using the voice as a mean
of establishing contacts with the inhabitants of other worlds are systematized, which made it possible to identify the cultural specifics of sounds in ritual communication. It reveals both general manifestations of the meanings – alert (cry, exclamation,
onomatopoeia, whistle), call (cry, exclamation, onomatopoeia), and distinctive – transport (onomatopoeia), meditative (rhythmized cries, exclamations), apotropaic (cry, onomatopoeia), producing and therapeutic (onomatopoeia). The unique role of onomatopoeia and whistling as a masked form of communication with the gods in a language they understand is noted, as well as the significance of rhythmized sounds to enhance the sacredness of ritual actions. The results of the study allow us to reach new theoretical and methodological directions in understanding the communication activities of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The materials of the article can be used for further study of various aspects related to the iconic function of sound in culture, as well as find application in the activities of scientific and creative organizations for collecting, storing, translation of the sound component of the cultural and historical experience of the Khanty, Mansi, and Nenets peoples.
Key words: voice, shout, whistle, onomatopoeia, sound behavior, semiotics of sound, Khanty, Mansi, Nenets.
For citation: Spodina V. I. Sound / voice as a special type of ritual communication // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2021; 11 (3): 563–572.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: the article reveals the importance of the human voice in the establishment of acoustic mental communication channels between the worlds in the traditional representations of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The article considers the
ritual regulation of sound behavior, etymology and form of sound information in culture. The article gives an idea of the specifics, essence and forms of sound communication as an acoustic marker of the traditional culture of the Khanty, Mansi and Nenets.
Objective: to reveal the semiotic functions of the voice in the ritual practice of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds.
Research materials: published materials on ethnography, folklore texts, oral reports of informants.
Results and novelty of the research: the forms, place and circumstances of human appeals to the gods (cry, exclamation, onomatopoeia, whistle) are analyzed from the point of view of ritual behavior. The functions of using the voice as a mean
of establishing contacts with the inhabitants of other worlds are systematized, which made it possible to identify the cultural specifics of sounds in ritual communication. It reveals both general manifestations of the meanings – alert (cry, exclamation,
onomatopoeia, whistle), call (cry, exclamation, onomatopoeia), and distinctive – transport (onomatopoeia), meditative (rhythmized cries, exclamations), apotropaic (cry, onomatopoeia), producing and therapeutic (onomatopoeia). The unique role of onomatopoeia and whistling as a masked form of communication with the gods in a language they understand is noted, as well as the significance of rhythmized sounds to enhance the sacredness of ritual actions. The results of the study allow us to reach new theoretical and methodological directions in understanding the communication activities of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The materials of the article can be used for further study of various aspects related to the iconic function of sound in culture, as well as find application in the activities of scientific and creative organizations for collecting, storing, translation of the sound component of the cultural and historical experience of the Khanty, Mansi, and Nenets peoples.
Key words: voice, shout, whistle, onomatopoeia, sound behavior, semiotics of sound, Khanty, Mansi, Nenets.
For citation: Spodina V. I. Sound / voice as a special type of ritual communication // Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2021; 11 (3): 563–572.
