The Legend of Geser Bogdo Recorded from Sharlda Dordzhiev (1893–1984): Essentials of Kalmyk Plot Elements Reviewed
https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2021-57-5-1111-1121
Abstract
Introduction. The article aims to analyze the plot lines of the Kalmyk ‘Gesr bogdyn tusk tuuҗ’ (The Legend of Geser Bogdo), performed by Sh. D. Dordzhiev and written down in 1982. So far, the legend has not been examined. The present authors begin with analyzing the way the storyteller composes his narrative in terms of structure and content, while identifying parallels with other epic narratives of Geser. Materials and methods. The study focuses on The Legend of Geser Bogdo recorded from Sh. Dordzhiev, and special attention is paid to S. Neklyudov’s methodological generalizations on the scheme of typical elements within Mongolian epic narratives. Results. The analysis shows that the plot structure of the Legend of Geser Bogdo in question includes a set of motifs that are standard for Geser epic narratives and are logically consistent (heavenly origin, difficult childhood, marriage, demonic fight, etc.). At the same time, individual details of the narrative were modified to a degree. Two storylines (matrimonial and military) are clearly indicated by the narrative, which reflects the memory of Kalmyks of the special character of Geser, the warrior and the defeater of demons. The authors conclude that the Kalmyk Legend of Geser Bogdo was based on the well-known invariants of plot lines and motifs in the oral versions of Geser epic, creatively modified when performed by the narrator.
Keywords
Geser,
typical elements of the epic,
oral tradition of the Kalmyks,
Legend of Geser Bogdo storyteller,
plot lines,
content composition
Supporting agencies: The reported study was funded by RFBR and CASS, project no. 19-512-93002 ‘Folklore of Silk Road Peoples: Oirat-Mongols of China and Kalmyks of Russia — from Folktale to Epic’.
About the Authors
Evdokia E. Khabunova
Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University (11, Pushkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (Philology), Professor
Tsetsenbat Tsetsenbat
Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (5, Jiannei Dajie, 100732 Beijing, People’s Republic of China)
China
China
Ph. D., Professor
References
1. Bordzhanova T. G. Heroic epic of Oirat Mongols: Genre specifics revisited. In: Typological and Artistic Peculiarities of Jangar. Elista: Kalmykia Book Publ., 1978. Pp. 15–24. (In Russ.)
2. Damdinsüren Ts. Epic of Gesar: History of Research. A. Tsendina, D. Tsedev (foreword., comp.). Ulaanbaatar: Soembo Printing, 2013. 558 p. (In Mong.)
3. Damrinjav B. Studies of Oirat Heroic Tales. Beijing: People’s Publ. House, 2006. 358 p. (In Mong.)
4. Dzhimgirov M. E. (ed.) Kalmyk Folktales. Vol. 2: Folktales Recorded from Taleteller Sandzhi Mandzhikov by A. Ts. Bembeeva. Elista: Kalmykia Book Publ., 1968. 266 p. (In Kalm.)
5. Heissig W. Die mongolischen Heldenepen: Struktur und Motive. Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag, 1979. Pp. 10–11. (In Germ.)
6. Khabunova E. E. (comp., etc.) Reliable Truths of Ancient Narratives. Collected expeditionary materials. Elista: Dzhangar, 2018. 399 p. (In Kalm.)
7. Khabunova E. E. The Legend of Gesar Bogdo recorded from Sharlda Dordzhiev (Born 1893): General description, text, commentary. Mongolian Studies. 2021. No. 2. Pp. 382–398. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.22162/2500-1523-2021-2-382-398
8. Kichikov A. Sh. About tuul-uliger epic: Posing the question. In: Typological and Artistic Peculiarities of Jangar. Elista: Kalmykia Book Publ., 1978. Pp. 3–6. (In Russ.)
9. Kichikov A. Sh. The Heroic Epic of Jangar: A Comparative Typological Study of the Monument. Moscow: Nauka — Vostochnaya Literatura, 1992. 318 p. (In Russ.)
10. Lidzhiev E. K. (comp.) The Golden Needle. Folktales. Elista: Kalmykia Book Publ., 1995. 119 p. (In Kalm.)
11. Mikhaylov G. I. Issues of Mongolic Folklore. Elista: Kalmyk Research Institute of Language, Literature and History, 1971. 235 p. (In Russ.)
12. Musova N. N., Okonov B. B., Muchkinova E. D. (comps.) Kalmyk Folktales. Vol. 3. Elista: Kalmyk ASSR Council of Ministers (Printing Affairs Dept.), 1972. 251 p. (In Kalm.)
13. Neklyudov S. Yu. Heroic Epic of Mongols: Oral and Literary Traditions. Moscow: Nauka, 1984. 310 p. (In Russ.)
14. Neklyudov S. Yu. Folklore Landscape of Mongolia: Epic — Bookish and Oral Ones. Moscow: Indrik, 2019. 592 p. (In Russ.)
15. Okonov B. B., Muchkinova E. D. (comps.) Kalmyk Folktales. Vol. 4. Elista: Kalmyk Research Institute of Language, Literature and History, 1974. 274 p. (In Kalm.)
16. Ovalov E. B. Typology of Motifs and Plots in Mongolic Epic Traditions: A Comparative Typological Study. Elista: Dzhangar, 2004. 184 p. (In Russ.)
17. Poppe N. Zur Erforschung der mongolischen Epen motive. In: Die mongolischen Epen. Bezuge, Sinndeutung und Uberlieferung (Ein Symposium). Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1979. Pp. 32–34. (In Germ.)
18. Propp V. Ya. Morphology of Folktale. Leningrad: Academia, 1928. 151 p. (In Russ.)
19. Putilov B. N. Heroic Epic and Reality. Leningrad: Nauka, 1976. 223 p. (In Russ.)
20. Putilov B. N. Epic Taletelling: Typology and Ethnic Specifics. Moscow: Vostochnaya Literatura, 1997. 295 p. (In Russ.)
21. Seleeva Ts. B. The Legend about Geser Bogdo Khan in Kalmyk folklore. Bulletin of the Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS. 2019. No. (3). Pp. 230–252. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.22162/2587-6503-2019-3-11-230-252
22. Tsetsenbat Ts. «Geseriyn tuuzh» dakh’ burkhny zarligiyn uchir. Dundad ulsyn mongol sudlal. 2015. No. 3. Pp. 71–76. (In Mong.)
Review
For citations:
Khabunova E.E., Tsetsenbat Ts. The Legend of Geser Bogdo Recorded from Sharlda Dordzhiev (1893–1984): Essentials of Kalmyk Plot Elements Reviewed. Oriental Studies. 2021;14(5):1111-1121. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2021-57-5-1111-1121
Views:
276
Email this article 