Military culture in the heroic legends of the peoples of Siberia and the Far East

Abstract

The paper studies the military culture of indigenous peoples in heroic epos of the Tungus-Manchurian, Ob-Ugric, and Paleo-Asiatic peoples. The Evenk folklore reflects the period of wars with Changites and Deptygirs. The descriptions of the bogatyrs’ battles with enemies show a special formula condemning the confrontation. High-status characters warn the warriors of their responsibility to the spirits for the destruction. In Chukchi and Koryak folklore, some peoples unite to fight against others for land and deer herds. The heroes protect the community and family honor by following the custom of blood feuds. There are still legends about wars and ancestors’ attempts to make a truce. The main Khanty and Mansi heroic tales are about the military campaigns for matchmaking or blood feuds, fights for deer, and territorial claims, the plots often ending with a peace agreement. Also, the battle could be for deer herds, grazing, prisoners, often resulting in bloodshed. One enemy would be left alive to inform tribesmen about the end of the war. The legends describe peace agreements confirmed by a joint meal. Folklore translates the peaceful life value and condemns war. The relations of Siberian and Far Eastern ethnic groups have been developing for centuries. They share the history of struggle for territories and resources, marriage and trade relations, heroic competitions. Northern ethnic legends tell about the contacts and wars with the nearest neighbors and the importance of peaceful coexistence. The folklore descriptions of military ethics and formulas calling for peace form a culture of inter-ethnic interaction.