Palakesi obiugri mütoloogiast IV

Abstract

On the basis of the folklore texts collected by B. Munkácsi, A. Kannisto and W. Steinitz, in four parts of the article (Mäetagused vol. 4 -7) is given a survey of the popular mythological beings of the Mansi and Khanty peoples. The first part of the article begins with the Mansi world creation legend and focuses on the Sky God and his wife or daughter Kaltesh. In the second part, the topic is continued with notices about the mythical golden idol of the Ob-Ugrians. Next, the article concentrates on the most popular deity - World Surveyor Man. In the third part, besides the last mentioned Lord of the Underworld, Sacred Town Elder and Kazym River Mistress are treated. The last part of the article is devoted to the beliefs and customs connected with bears. The majority of text examples were translated by the author from Mansi and Khanty languages.