Article

Name: Yakut Folklore in the literary essay “In the Far North” by Teki Odulok

Authors: T. V. Krayushkina

Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology FEB RAS, Vladivostok, Russia

In the section Фольклор в литературе народов Севера

Abstract:

This article examines the representation and social functioning of Yakut folklore as documented in the artistic essay “In the Far North” by Teki Odulok. The study identifies ten specific episodes containing folklore inclusions, ranging from direct fragments of oral tradition to narrative references. By comparing these instances with established records of Yakut folklore from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the author confirms the authenticity of the folklore material presented in the essay. The analysis highlights a diverse genre palette, although the text often lacks explicit markers of national or genre identity. This absence of formal categorization reflects the actual "living tradition" of the 1920s, characterized by cultural flexibility and the seamless integration of Yakut oral tradition into the daily lives of various indigenous groups in the Far North. For Teki Odulok, the narrative content and imagery of folklore are prioritized over formal ethnographic classification. Ultimately, the essay serves as a vital record of a period when Yakut folklore functioned as a shared cultural fund, transcending ethnic boundaries and forming an integral part of the regional social fabric. The findings emphasize that Odulok’s work is not only a literary achievement but also a significant ethnographical source for studying inter-ethnic cultural exchange in Northern Siberia.

Keywords: Yakut folklore, the existence of folklore, Yukaghir fiction, Teki Odulok, the literary essay “In the Far North”

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