Yakut and Dolgan Epics about Heroes with a Horse Origin: Commonality and Differences

Abstract

The results of a comparative analysis of the texts of the Yakut and Dolgan epics about lone heroes with a horse origin are presented. The relevance of the study is due to the inadequacy of the study of two related epics in a comparative aspect in order to identify commonality and originality in them. Particular attention is paid to comparing the themes, the imagery system and the plot-compositional structure of epics. A detailed analysis of plot components and epic motifs is given. As a result of the study, similarities were found in the development of the main storyline, the similarity of the main motifs, the similarity of the images of the heroes in their purpose, physical abilities and character is also noted. The discrepancy in the plot-compositional structure of epics - the presence of an additional link in the development of the plot in the Yakut olonkho is considered. The motifs of nominating a hero, consigning a horse, going on a military campaign and a wonderful marriage are highlighted. It is suggested that the epic about a hero with a horse origin, having its origins in the ancient Yakut myth of the ancestor horse, originally existed in the central region of Yakutia, and then became widespread among the northern population, including the Dolgan people.

Keywords

• epic
• yakut olonkho
• dolgan olongko
• comparative analysis
• images
• plot
• motifs
• horse origin of the hero