The motif of a relationship between a human and an animal in genealogical legends of the buryats

Abstract

The given article discusses the motif of the miraculous birth of a child from an animal in the narratives about the origins of Buryat tribes and clans. The study sets a goal of identifying the structure of plots where this motif is present, determine its place, analyze the patterns and describe the variations of its existence. The research materials include texts from works and collections on Buryat folklore as well as previously unconsidered materials from the personal fund of S. P. Baldaev, stored in the archive collection of the Center for Oriental Manuscripts and xylographs IMBT SB RAS. The legends that tell about the origin of the main Buryat tribes: Bulagat, Ekhirit, Khori and Khongodor are considered common for all Buryat people, while the legends about clans are local and are preserved only among representatives of a certain clan. The author concludes that this motif is closely related to the images of the Buryat ancestors, and its presence in genealogical legends is conditioned by the people’s strong need of feeling a deep bond with nature. In addition to that, the analysis of the material shows how patriarchal views of the Buryats are often highlighted in genealogical legends.