The Legend of Geser Bogdo Recorded from Sharlda Dordzhiev (1893–1984): Essentials of Kalmyk Plot Elements Reviewed

Abstract

Introduction. The article aims to analyze the plot lines of the Kalmyk ‘Gesr bogdyn tusk tuuҗ’ (The Legend of Geser Bogdo), performed by Sh. D. Dordzhiev and written down in 1982. So far, the legend has not been examined. The present authors begin with analyzing the way the storyteller composes his narrative in terms of structure and content, while identifying parallels with other epic narratives of Geser. Materials and methods. The study focuses on The Legend of Geser Bogdo recorded from Sh. Dordzhiev, and special attention is paid to S. Neklyudov’s methodological generalizations on the scheme of typical elements within Mongolian epic narratives. Results. The analysis shows that the plot structure of the Legend of Geser Bogdo in question includes a set of motifs that are standard for Geser epic narratives and are logically consistent (heavenly origin, difficult childhood, marriage, demonic fight, etc.). At the same time, individual details of the narrative were modified to a degree. Two storylines (matrimonial and military) are clearly indicated by the narrative, which reflects the memory of Kalmyks of the special character of Geser, the warrior and the defeater of demons. The authors conclude that the Kalmyk Legend of Geser Bogdo was based on the well-known invariants of plot lines and motifs in the oral versions of Geser epic, creatively modified when performed by the narrator.

Keywords

• geser
• typical elements of the epic
• oral tradition of the kalmyks
• legend of geser bogdo storyteller
• plot lines
• content composition