Oriental Studies (Aug 2018)
The Images of Udagan Women in the Yakut Heroic Epic olonkho (Tradition of the Tattinsky Region)
Abstract
The article gives an insight to the image of Udagan women in the Yakut traditional heroic epic olonkho of the Tattinsky region. In accordance with their origin, Udagan women are divided into two groups: Udagan women of the Aiyy tribe and the Udagan women of the Abasy tribe. The first group is represented by heavenly Udagan women that live in the Upper World as well as Udagan women, who descended to the Middle World from the Upper World following the order of the supreme deity. They bless the hero so that he would succeed in all his deeds; they heal wounded warriors, give valuable advice and foretell the future. The second group includes Udagan women of the Abasy tribe that belong to the Underworld. Just like the heavenly Udagan women, they come whenever they are called for help, however they always face defeat. They can battle the warriors of the Aiyy tribe. Sometimes they successfully get married to Aiyy warriors and give birth to children; they can achieve all this by using their wicked sorcery. In accordance with the function they perform, they fall under the following groups: helpers (mediators, healers) and warriors. Helpers act as advisors to the Aiyy warriors; they help them in battles against enemies. Mediators serve as a linking force between the warrior and heavenly deities. The role of healers is to heal wounded warriors and revive the dead. They can also foretell the future and show the olonkho characters who their betrothed ones are. Apart from their magical powers, the Udagan women warriors are able to battle enemies. They are just as strong as the warriors and sometimes they are even stronger than any of the warriors. The image of the Udagan women in the epos should be regarded as an archaic traditional trace. The images of Udagan women can often be seen in the traditional “olonkho” of the Tattinsky region and this is one of this epic’s characteristic features.
