Worldview of Mongolic Peoples: Representations of the Beginnings of Human Life and Its Prospective Quality

Abstract

Goals. The work aims to examine the issues of perception and understanding of processes characterizing the beginnings of human life, its sources in the traditional worldview of Inner Asian Turko-Mongolic nomads. Methods. The study employs the comparative historical and comparative typological research methods; a method of interpreting cultural phenomena is also made use of. Reproduction of life is a primary task of society, and all related actions are actually manifested in wedding rites, in annual public prayers. The begging for soul ritual would be held only after other repeated reproduction efforts failed. In this case, the identification of potential sources of vitality that could convey the latter to the couple seems relevant (and instrumental) enough. No less important is how certain ‘sources of life’ tend to influence the quality of life of their ‘ward’. Results. Multiple deities, revered objects of the surrounding nature, patrons of animals, birds and even reptiles would act as bearers of the soul of the to-be-born child. Conclusions. The individual life expectancy and quality were believed to depend on who would grant the soul to the child.

Keywords

• inner asia
• traditional worldviews of turko-mongolic peoples
• reproductive culture
• life