Worldview of Mongolic Peoples: Representations of the Beginnings of Human Life and Its Prospective Quality
https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2019-3-465-478
Abstract
The work aims to examine the issues of perception and understanding of processes characterizing the beginnings of human life, its sources in the traditional worldview of Inner Asian Turko-Mongolic nomads. Methods. The study employs the comparative historical and comparative typological research methods; a method of interpreting cultural phenomena is also made use of. Reproduction of life is a primary task of society, and all related actions are actually manifested in wedding rites, in annual public prayers. The begging for soul ritual would be held only after other repeated reproduction efforts failed. In this case, the identification of potential sources of vitality that could convey the latter to the couple seems relevant (and instrumental) enough. No less important is how certain ‘sources of life’ tend to influence the quality of life of their ‘ward’. Results. Multiple deities, revered objects of the surrounding nature, patrons of animals, birds and even reptiles would act as bearers of the soul of the to-be-born child. Conclusions. The individual life expectancy and quality were believed to depend on who would grant the soul to the child.
Supporting agencies: The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project No. 19-09-00120 ‘Traditional Medical Knowledge of the Mongolian Peoples in Retrospect and in the Future’.
About the Authors
Marina M. Sodnompilova
Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the RAS
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (History), Leading Research Associate
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (History), Leading Research Associate
Eleonora A. Nemanova
East-Siberian State Institute of Culture
Russian Federation
Cand.Sc. (History), Associate Professor
Russian Federation
Cand.Sc. (History), Associate Professor
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Review
For citations:
Sodnompilova M.M., Nemanova E.A. Worldview of Mongolic Peoples: Representations of the Beginnings of Human Life and Its Prospective Quality. Mongolian Studies. 2019;11(3):465-478. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2019-3-465-478
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