Epic Formulas of the Northern, Central and Vilyuy Regional Traditions of the Yakut Olonkho: Comparative Aspect

Abstract

Epic formulas, formed on the basis of rhythmic-syntactic parallelism are studied. A comparative analysis of the text of the Mom (northern) olonkho with the texts of the olonkho representing other regional traditions - central and Vilyuisk is carried out. The relevance of the study is due to the need for scientific understanding of the northern olonkho, which in Yakut folklore has not received enough attention. The aim is to identify distinctive features against the background of other regional traditions of olonkho. The novelty of the work is that the study of epic formulas is carried out for the first time on the basis of three texts of olonkho, representing the three main epic traditions of the Yakut olonkho. As a result of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that in the analyzed examples there is a direct connection, which is based on general methods of forming epic formulas - the matrix of rhythmic-syntactic parallelism. The author identifies the general epic, transitional and formulas of the regional tradition, which in turn include particular formulas, which are stable stylistic elements characteristic of the epos of the Turkic-speaking peoples. According to the author, these sustainable designs have aesthetic value; they are very significant for the perception of the text of olonkho: according to them, students evaluate the degree of mastery of the narrator, his improvisational abilities.

Keywords

• northern epic tradition
• mom olonkho
• epic formula
• rhythmic and syntactic parallelism
• parallelism matrix
• sustainable designs
• typical places
• interaction and mutual influence