On the Plot Types of Kalmyk Fairy Tales (Repertoire of the Storyteller Sandzhi Butaev)

Abstract

The article attempts to give a classification of Kalmyk fairy tales from the repertoire of the storyteller Sandzhi Butaev according to the «Comparative index of plots» compiled by L. G. Barag, I. P. Berezovsky, K.P. Kabashnikov, N. V. Novikov. The given index summarizes the results of previous works in the field of systematization of Russian, Ukrainian and Byelorussian fabulous material. Comparing plots of Kalmyk fairy tales with those of the Index, the author found out some correlation between the plot types of Kalmyk fairy tales and those of the East Slavic fairy tales: «The Miraculous enemy» (300-399), «The Miraculous spouse (wife or other relative)» (400-459), «The Magic task» (460-499), «The magical helper» (500-559), «The Magic object» (560-649), «Magical power and knowledge» (skill) (650-699), «Other magic motifs» (700-749). Of special scientific value are the texts of tales recorded by the researchers of the Kalmyk Research Institute of Language, Literature, and History (KNIIaLI) such as E. Ch. Bardaev (1967), N. D. Muchkinova (February 1971), N. Ts. Bitkeev, B. B. Okonov (September 1974) and B. E. Mutlyaeva (June 1978). After transcribing tape recorded fairy tales, the researcher published the book «Buutan Sanjin tuul’s» («Sandzhi Butaev’s Tales») in 2008. As a result of the analysis, the author revealed some specific features of the interpretation of plot types within the Kalmyk fairy tale and their differentiating elements associated with the originality of the artistic traditions of the Kalmyk people.