Zoomorphic Imagery in Fi nno-Ugric People Cultu re of the Kostroma Region
Abstract
The article examines the waterfowl and horse
cults which are common to all Finno-Ugric tribes. The totemic
worship to these animals is traced in Finno-Ugric culture of the
Kostroma Volga region where the tribe Merya had lived up to
the 10th century before assimilating with Slavic settlers. The
elements of totemic beliefs have been revealed expressed
in zoomorphic figurines of waterfowl and horse discovered
during archaeological excavations. The proofs are based on
mythological information. The reflection of worship in folklore,
ethnography, and artifacts of different cultures is traced. The
author provides a comparison with other Finno-Ugric tribe
cultures such as Mordovians and Komi. The analysis of numerous
and diverse sources suggests that the images of waterfowl
and horse dominated the mythological world picture of
Finno-Ugric tribes. The fact that these images are also found
in the rituals of modern Finno-Ugric tribes is an indirect confirmation
of the hypothesis.
cults which are common to all Finno-Ugric tribes. The totemic
worship to these animals is traced in Finno-Ugric culture of the
Kostroma Volga region where the tribe Merya had lived up to
the 10th century before assimilating with Slavic settlers. The
elements of totemic beliefs have been revealed expressed
in zoomorphic figurines of waterfowl and horse discovered
during archaeological excavations. The proofs are based on
mythological information. The reflection of worship in folklore,
ethnography, and artifacts of different cultures is traced. The
author provides a comparison with other Finno-Ugric tribe
cultures such as Mordovians and Komi. The analysis of numerous
and diverse sources suggests that the images of waterfowl
and horse dominated the mythological world picture of
Finno-Ugric tribes. The fact that these images are also found
in the rituals of modern Finno-Ugric tribes is an indirect confirmation
of the hypothesis.
About the Author
С. Шарабарина
Костромской государственный технологический университет
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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