Article

Name: Ritual Poetry in the Folklore and Ethnographic Heritage of S. D. Mainagashev (on the 140th anniversary of his birth)

Authors: V. V. Mindibekova

Institute of Philology of the SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia

In the section Обрядовый фольклор

Abstract:

In 2026, it will be 140 years since the birth of Sergey Dmitrievich Mainagashev, a Khakass ethnographer and researcher of the Khakass language and folklore. This article provides a brief description of the collection of folklore samples recorded by the scholar. The research explores and defines new aspects of the academic contributions of the scholar, with a particular emphasis on the “cult poetry” he documented during his expeditions in Siberia between 1913 and 1914. These records include invaluable examples of Khakass ritual poetry, such as well-wishes (alkys) addressed to the master-spirits of nature, shamanic incantations of ancestral spirits, and appeals to protective deities (yzykhs). Particular attention is paid to the veneration of the Fire Mother (Ot ine) and detailed descriptions of sacrificial, wedding, and funeral rites. The work of Mainagashev is distinguished by a commitment to linguistic authenticity and cultural context, capturing the features of the Khakass language and the spirit of folk tradition at a time of significant transition. By analyzing these often unpublished or undeciphered texts, the authors provide a deeper understanding of historical ritual culture and offer a vital point of comparison for modern ethnographical research. His legacy covers a vast thematic range, from complex mythological plots to the symbolic structures of life-cycle rituals, reinforcing his position as a foundational figure in Siberian ethnography.

Keywords: S. D. Mainagashev, Khakass folklore, fairy tales, ritual poetry, shamanic texts, benevoles

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