The Main Character and Event Cove­rage in Oirat Epics (using the Example of the Epics “Kigiyin-Kiy­tyun-Keke-Temur-Zewe” and “Bum Erdeni”)

Introduction. In the treasury of the epic heritage of the Mongolian peoples, the heroic epics of the Oirats of North-Western Mongolia occupy a worthy place. Each epic is a highly artistic poetic work that tells the “story of a single hero,” with a harmonious and eventful plot. This includes the epic “Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe,” which has not yet been the subject of a special analysis, which makes the problem we are studying relevant. The purpose of this article is to analyze the events depicted in the epic “Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe” involving the main character. The main material for the study was the text of the Oirat epic “Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe” by the storyteller M. Parchin, and the epic “Bum Erdeni” from the same tuuulchi’s repertoire was used for comparative analysis. The study used methodological approaches that are important for the comparative study of epic monuments and the identification of the features of the formation of the plot of the Oirat heroic epic within the framework of the local tradition and the repertoire of the storyteller. Results. The events (the birth of the hero, the acquisition of a horse and weapons, the marriage trip, the fight against the Mangus enemies, the brotherhood, and the return with the bride and the loot), which form the plot of the epic “Kigiyin-Kyityun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe,” are based on matrimonial conflicts and are related to the spatial movement of the main character. The main character of the epic “Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe” is characterized by the qualities of other Oirat epic heroes: he is “the best of men”, determined and courageous, possesses supernatural strength and magical abilities, defeats his enemies, and comes to the aid of his fellow heroes. The appearance of a hero with the same name (Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe) and a set of similar traits and virtues (an unrivaled archer, a noble suitor, a powerful adversary, a reliable brother-in-arms, etc.) in different epics (Kigiyin-Kiytyun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe and Boom Erdeni) allows for the possibility of a drop-out (syncope) or the movement of an episode in the epic plot within the local storytelling tradition. Conclusions. The epic “Kigiyin-Kyityun-Kekke-Temur-Zewe”, which glorifies the feat of a hero who defeated his enemies, the evil Mangus, helped his fellow heroes, obtained a bride with a rich dowry, and ensured a peaceful and prosperous life for his subjects, can be classified as the second group of Oirat heroic epics according to B. Ya. Vladimirtsov’s classification.

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