Oriental Studies (Dec 2020)
Verbal and Poetic Repertoire of the Bashkir Wedding: Past and Present
Abstract
Introduction. Bashkir wedding is one of the most striking forms of traditional culture. Over centuries of evolution, a complex set of ideological and functional related ritual songs, actions, myths and rituals has formed as an integral festive and theatrical performance. This surprisingly unique performance (drama) reflects the worldview of the people, their poetic and musical culture, including peculiarities of social, everyday and social development. The ideology of caring for the welfare of the family and happy family future has been developed and vividly captured in the wedding rituals. Genotypic plans for the continuation of life, creating a sustainable family in order to ensure continuity and fertility of the new family member ― sister–in–law ― is a major determining code of the Bashkir wedding manifested in the complicated mytho-ritual complex tui (wedding, feast). In it, a large role is given to verbal and song contests (Bash. әйтеш), lamentations (сеңләү), good wishes (теләк, алғыш), ‘yar-yar’ chants, magnificence and farewell songs (takmaks) which are organically woven into the course of the wedding to create a festive atmosphere, give special importance to everything that happens. These work of art have various and rather complex functions, since they not only accompany various moments of the wedding celebration, but also reflect ancient mythological ideas, belief in the power of words and actions. The verbal, song and action creative complex acts as a single syncretic whole with what is happening. Goals. The article examines the role of verbal and poetic works in various parts of the wedding ceremony. They are distinguished by a variety of texts and tunes dedicated to various moments of the wedding and ritual actions addressed to the bride and groom (mostly). Results. The ritual of good wishes goes back to the magic of a kind word, which in general in all types of rituals involves the structuring of events in the name of blessings and the consolidation of a happy future. The article traces the reflection of the emotional state of the bride in various poetic texts, which determines the importance of the moment of the girl’s transition to a qualitatively different state of marriage; the importance of the special semantic load of the songs of the Bashkir wedding for the future family life is noted. In all cultures, edification, parting words generalize the prescriptions and rules of behavior for young people. There are two main places of well-wishes in the wedding drama: in front of the wires from the father’s house (girdling) and in the groom’s house (opening the face). Good wishes and edifications, pronounced in the rites of transitional meaning, represent a kind of collection of etiquette, everyday life and traditions of the people. This is the poeticized wisdom and life experience of people who want the well-being of a girl who goes into a ‘foreign’ environment. In a Bashkir wedding, songs of a greatness, entertaining or humorous nature are performed, which are organically included in the drama of the wedding action and become an integral part of the ceremony as a whole.
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