Novye Issledovaniâ Tuvy (Jun 2019)
Tuvan folklore and the earthquake at urochische Dzharga in mid-18th century
Abstract
Folklore sources such as myths, legends and tales provide us with valuable information on ancient catastrophes and other events which form the domain of paleoseismology and historical seismology. The article offers an example of such an interdisciplinary study wherein the Tuvan folklore material recorded by I.G. Safyanov in early 20th century and the paleoseismological data were used to confirm the historical fact of earthquake at urochische Dzharga (near the contemporary settlement of Ust’-Elegest, Republic of Tuva) in mid-18th century. In the history of Tuva this period is known for the dramatic moment of its annexation by the Qing empire. We have relied on the poetic tale “Ulu-Dune” (The Great Night), where the Kara Kham (Black Shaman) in league with the spirit of the earth drives away the Chinese invaders from the Tuvan lands. It is clear from the text of the tale that the Chinese set up camp on the left bank of the Yenisei, in front of urochische Dzharga. At night, a peal of thunder was heard, the rock collapsed into the Yenisei, and the Chinese army had to retreat. A similar event is described in a Dzharga folk song performed by young man Tavy. Urochische Dzharga can with a good deal of certainty be localized at the settlement of Ust’-Elegest on the right bank of the Yenisei. The landscape also matches the description. A paleoseismological reconnaissance survey, held by the authors in 2018, has shown an impact of seismic emission, and traces of earthquake liquefaction (seismites). The eartquake must have taken place between 1715 and 1758, with its magnitude reaching 9 on the 12-point macroseismic scale of the MSK-64 type. We conclude that the use of folklore material significally expands the limits of historical seismology in addition to other written sources “traditionally” employed in the Altai-Sayan region in general, and in Tuva in particular.
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