Introduction. In the 1740s–1780s, decentralization processes within the Kazakh Khanate led to that it was involved into somewhat troubled foreign policy relations. The period of struggle for political independence witnessed the emergence of Abylai — among most authoritative leaders of the Kazakh Khanate — as a key political decision-maker of the Great Steppe. His son Uali joined and continued the process of developing diplomatic relations between the Kazakh Khanate and the Qing Empire. In the future, it was a balanced strategy of diplomatic maneuvers under conditions of dual citizenship that constituted the basis of the latter ruler’s administrative agenda across Kazakh lands. Goals. Thus, the study aims to examine Abylai and Uali’s diplomatic relations with the Qing Empire. The paper shall also explore archival materials for data pertaining to diplomatic endeavors of Uali which are scarce enough as compared to those on Abylai’s activities. Materials and methods. The work focuses on documents stored at the Historical Archive of Omsk Oblast, Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire, and Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts. Quite a number of the documents from the Historical Archive of Omsk Oblast have been declassified only in 2019, and were never introduced into wide scholarly circulation. The newly obtained records reveal certain historical facts, including about certain diplomatic endeavors definitely adding to the little-known personality of Khan Uali. The currently available documentary evidence dealing with the events of the 18th–19th centuries virtually shed no light on Uali’s role in historical processes. Our search for information about activities of this historical figure shows how poorly investigated the latter is. The study employs the principles of scientific and historical knowledge, with due regard the value approach. Results. The Kazakh-Qing land-related negotiations after the collapse of the Dzungar Khanate continued with the establishment of trade and economic relations — to witness an increase in mutual diplomatic missions. So, Abylai faced an opportunity to obtain the Qing citizenship as a basis for further development of ties with the Manchu  imperial palace. The Qing citizenship of Kazakh rulers Abylai and Uali did significantly expand room for political maneuver of theirs. Abylai is still considered to be a key figure in establishing Kazakh-Qing diplomatic relations, he who had taken the bulk of the responsibility — in this matter — among the then individuals of power and influence in the Steppe. Whereas, the role and activities of Uali remain little-known when it comes to discuss diplomatic relations between the Kazakhs and neighboring states.

Introduction. The Soviet-Mongolian public health cooperation was a major component of the Soviet project (with geopolitical motives) aimed at modernizing the nomadic society. The Soviet shaping of Mongolia’s public health institutions not only yielded an efficient tool of soft power and neutralized competition from other medical systems, but also set the stage for the country’s demographic well-being in subsequent periods. Goals. The article aims at highlighting some pivotal points of medical efforts undertaken to improve the MPR’s demographic situation in the 1920s to 1940s. Materials and methods. The study analyzes documents housed at the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the Russian State Archive of Sociopolitical History, examines some unpublished dissertations authored by Mongolian and Russian physicians. The employed research methods include the retrospective, comparative, and geopolitical ones. Results. In the 1920s to 1940s, the key problems of Mongolia’s demography were social diseases, primarily syphilis and gonorrhea, that reduced reproductive capacities and caused increased infant mortality, these having been aggravated by traditional obstetric practices and unsanitary conditions of nomadic life. The former were adversely affecting the entire course of socialist modernization and hindering socioeconomic development of the nation. The anti-venereal disease campaign, establishment of maternity and child health services, development of pre-schools, and health education for women laid the early groundwork for a dramatic health transition. Conclusions. The efforts of Soviet physicians at earliest stages of the MPR’s healthcare system development ensured the growth of demographic indicators in the 1940s–1960s, namely: a two-fold decrease in infant mortality paralleled by increased birth rates, and a population growth of 60 %. So, all that served a basis for the comprehensive implementation of Mongolia’s socialist modernization project, which had geopolitical significance both for the Soviets and the MPR, the latter to have become a full member of the UN and the CMEA after 1961.

Introduction. The analysis of urbanization processes experienced by Magadan Oblast in recent decades is a most important component in understanding essentials and peculiarities of the urbanization agenda in the whole of Russia’s Far East. Historical experiences of the region attest to that urbanization processes across the eastern economic regions of Russia are highly dependent on actual conditions and prospects of mining industries, presence / absence of paternalism in policies of federal and regional authorities towards urban settlements that show no promise for further industrial development. So, mining and government support have deepest impacts on urbanization processes in Magadan Oblast. Goals. The study aims at analyzing key results of the Soviet urbanization program across Magadan Oblast, certain structural and demographic transformations of the region’s urban settlement network that took place in the 1990s to 2010s. Materials and methods. The work employs a set of general scientific tools, the statistical method, and those of specifically historical research (e.g., the chronological one) — for analytical insights into official statistics, national, regional and local regulations. Results. The study shows the urbanization crisis in the region is associated with its deindustrialization in the 1990s–2000s. The decline of the entire urban settlement network has manifested itself in both structural and demographical patterns. Two cities of the region — Magadan and Susuman — have experienced significant population losses, though still retaining their ‘city’ status. Meanwhile, 15 out of 34 urban-type settlements had been abandoned or abolished by the early 2020s. The policy of abolishing depressed settlements has been developed in the region, which is supported by federal and regional programs that facilitate resettlement — from districts of the Extreme North and rural localities to the capital city of Magadan. The urban population has reduced by 58.6 % during the mentioned period, while the dramatic rural population decrease of 90 % means that the region’s internal urbanization resources are almost completely exhausted. Conclusions. Urbanization prospects in the region are primarily tied to somewhat further development of Magadan and its agglomeration, the latter to include two near-capital districts in the south. At the same time, new projects of economic development in the region are increasingly associated with activities of shift workers’ townships.

Introduction. The paper examines some archaeological evidence for a line of continuity between the Savirs (an ethnic group that had inhabited the Caucasus up to the mid-1st  millennium CE), the Suvars (who were part of the northward migration of the Bulgar tribal federation to the middle reaches of the Volga later in the 1st millennium CE), and the present-day Chuvash people (first attested under that name in the early 16th century). Goals. The article aims to shed light on the history of ancestors of the Chuvash. Materials. Pottery and other artefacts support the link postulated to exist between the mentioned ethnic groups from different periods in history, while other archaeological discoveries indicate what connected them to and what distinguished them from their neighbors, suggest how they lived, and show the persistence of certain traditions and practices up to date. Results. Excavations of archaeologists from Makhachkala reject the version of the mid-fifth-century migration of Savirs from the region of Derbent towards southeastern Ciscaucasia allegedly because of the Pseudo-Avars that had arrived from Siberia. In fact, such movement resulted from the offensive of Sassanid Iran. The paper also reviews burial grounds located in Kizilyurtovsky District of Dagestan. The analysis of archaeological evidence confirms there is a continuity of black-and-gray pottery from the North Caucasus and Volga Bulgaria.

Introduction. In recent decades, Tuvans have shown an increasing interest in their clan/tribal histories contained in state archival documents or memoirs of their ancestors preserved in family files. Goals. The article seeks to explore features of names adopted by Tuvan clan/tribal (subethnic) groups. To facilitate this, the paper shall systematize clan/tribal names in the Tuvan language, investigate clan/tribal identities from ancient times, identify habitats of Tuvan subethnic groups as of the early 20th century, explore peculiarities of subethnic structures, and single out communities closely related to Tuvan ones to be found beyond Tuva’s borders. Materials. The work analyzes Tuvan ethnonyms from publications on the topic of research and field data collected during dialectological and comprehensive research expeditions. Results. Tuvan self-identity is closely associated with subethnic (clan/tribal) origin. The Tuvan language contains names for a total of over forty tribal associations, the latter be further divided into intra-tribal units (clans). Another important self-identity factor is the administrative/territorial one established in the mid-18th century by the Manchu (Qing) Dynasty of China. Our analysis shows the Tuvan ethnogenesis was based mainly on Turkic-speaking components, however, one can still trace Mongolic, Samoyed, Ket, and Tungus elements therein. Quite a number of clan/tribal names are distributed not only in the territory of Tuva, but also beyond its borders, which attests to common origins of many Turkic-speaking communities. A significant part of Tuvan ethnonyms remain virtually unexplored to date, therefore, those require deeper insights.

Introduction. Oirat old-script texts tell us about the prominent historical figure of Noyon Galdma (Kalm., Oir. Һалдма, Һалдмба; Mong. Галдамаа, Галдамбаа), son of Khan Ochirtu-Tsetsen, grandson of Khan Baibagas of the Khoshuts and Khong Tayiji Erdeni-Baatar of Dzungaria. The image and memory of Galdama has been preserved in oral folklore of Mongols. Goals. The article attempts a review of studies to have dealt with Galdama, seeks to analyze the reasons underlying his popularity in Mongolic folklore traditions, and reveal peculiarities of the image characteristic of different genres. Results. The historical figure — the son of Khan Ochirtu-Tsetsen — is widely known in written and oral traditions of Mongolic peoples, e.g., Galdama is mentioned in Ratnabhadra’s Biography of Zaya Pandita and other narratives. Mongolists have been dealing with epic songs of Galdama for over a century already, a total of circa twenty legends about this hero have been recorded. The seventeenth-century Oirat nobleman’s name is nowadays integral to diverse Mongolic cultures, such as Kalmyks and Buryats of Russia, Oirats of Western Mongolia and China’s Xinjiang (Torghuts, Upper Mongols, Olots), as well as Alasha Khoshuts and Ejine Torghuts inhabiting Inner Mongolia (PRC). So, versions of Galdma-related songs number over thirty. Conclusions. The dissemination of folklore texts centered around the renown protector of native territories believed to have been a skilful warrior and chieftain of border detachments is associated with the theme of homeland defense that was most urgent during the lifetime of Noyon Galdama (1635–1667) — when all Mongols faced an increasing threat of Manchu invasion, and the Congress of 1640 developed The Great Code of Laws that proclaimed defense of Mongol-inhabited domains a supreme goal and virtue. Mythologization of Galdama’s image also attests to the significance of his personality in Oirat history, which can be traced in Oirat folklore heritage. 

Introduction. The article examines the women’s shoulder garment edektig ton from historical and ethnographic perspectives. The mutual dependence between material and spiritual cultures results in that edektig ton — via a number of its elements, such as textiles and manufacturing technology, design patterns, ornaments and symbols, terminology and worldview beliefs — consistently preserves valuable data and meanings pertaining to history and ethnography. Goals. The study attempts a historical/ethnographic insight into the women’s shoulder garment edektig ton to identify its peculiarities, semiotics and differences typical for various Tuvan clans, including to understand why it is sometimes referred to as ‘terlik ton’ (lit. ‘luxurious ton’), or ‘derlig ton’ (lit. ‘sweaty ton’) across Tuvan tribal groups. The fact the issue remains understudied and young Tuvans show an increased interest in their material culture make the study relevant and timely enough. Results. The article analyzes a set of historical and ethnographic materials dealing with edektig ton, namely: writings by researchers of Tuva, museum items and field data, including ones collected during the expedition for comprehensive ethnogenetic and linguoanthropological research into Tuva’s tribal groups conducted from 27 September to 15 October 2022 with the financial support from Russian Science Foundation. The paper reveals additional names for this Tuvan women’s garment may vary, traces a genesis of the latter’s details, identifies one of its previous forms — ibchi ton — which is similar enough to Khakass patterns. Conclusions. The article delineates ethnogenetic and ethnocultural ties between edektig ton of Tuvans and clothes of other ethnic groups, and introduces some peculiarities of its terminology.

Introduction. The history of Tuva’s anthropological study dates back almost a century, and interest in this region never faded to date. In this regard, there is a need to summarize all related research publications, clarify the periodization of stages in the study of Tuvan physical anthropology. Goals. The work primarily aims to summarize all collected data on anthropological appearances of Tuvans and identify problem areas in this topic, as well as prospects for further research. Part One shall introduce a step-by-step history of the study of Tuvan physical anthropology, with due regard of the development of biological anthropology in Russia. Results. The paper provides a detailed analysis of ethnic anthropology results comprising head, face and physique measurements and descriptive data, dental and dermatoglyphic parameters. Data from a number of anthropological systems make it possible to determine the place of Tuvans among Siberian Mongoloids, delineate some local variants within the population of Tuva. Conclusions. Despite there is a most detailed anthropological description of Tuvans, some aspects of their intra-group differentiation remain unresolved — especially taking into account the existing tribal subdivision — just like the case with the formation of Tuvan anthropological appearances during the medieval era and modern times, which sets new vectors for further research of Tuva’s population.

Introduction. Bashkortostan is one of Russia’s major center of Arabic-script publications and manuscripts. The latter include quite a number of handwritten documents that contain valuable material on the history of the region. The article examines one of such texts — an understudied historical document titled ‘Usergan Tavarikhy’. Goals. The work aims to provide a brief review of the manuscript’s content and focuses on data directly related to Bashkir history. Materials. The paper analyzes one anonymous Arabic-script Turki-language manuscript of Usergan Tavarikhy stored at Ufa Federal Research Centre (Scientific Library, Rare Book Section). Results. The anonymous source proves quite rich in material describing most important periods in the history of the region. The author tends to focus on external factors that had had their impacts on Bashkir history, such as the spread of Islam, Mongol invasion and embassy to Genghis Khan, relations with Nogais under the rule of the Nogai Horde, and the beginnings of Russia’s period. The document begins with legends about saints and prophets. A significant part of the manuscript deals with genealogies of the Golden Horde rulers introduced in the form of diagrams and supplemented with comments. Conclusions. The Usergan Tavarikhy manuscript is certainly a valuable historical source that examines not only the past of Bashkirs but rather covers far more extensive geographic areas. And despite the document is widely known as ‘tawarikh’, its content makes it closer to the historical and functional genre of tarikhname.

Introduction. The articles examines etymologies and semantics of Mongolic words denoting the sky. The system of astronomical terms in Mongolic languages is structurally complicated due to multiple layers of pre-Buddhist, Buddhist and other beliefs adopted by proto-Mongols. Goals. The work aims to identify etymological and semantic dominants characterizing this thematic group within the common Mongolic vocabulary. The concept of sky clusters with most basic ones, and lexemes to denote it are to be found in each and every language. Materials and methods. The study examines dictionaries of Mongolic languages, involves reliable proto-Mongolian lexical reconstructions by H. Nugteren and O. Mudrak. Furthermore, the paper analyzes various etymological works and Altaic dictionaries, as well as databases on semantic transitions and colexifications. Results. The Mongolic vocabularies contain four lexemes denoting the sky and two for air/airspace — all of them being largely associated with different beliefs and faiths across different areas and in different eras. So, the word *teŋgeri attests to some elements of the cult of heaven had been practiced by earliest Mongols and the latter had maintained contacts with Turkic groups. The second lexeme *hogtorgui is a Buddhist scholarly term semantically derived from the one denoting emptiness, i.e. a suggested semantic calque from the Sanskrit word that was borrowed to northern Mongolic languages from translated texts of the Buddhist Canon. The third name *köke is a hapax from the Muqaddimat al-Adab that may have arrived in western Middle Mongolian from Chagatai Turkic. The fourth word *asman is a later borrowing from Persian to vocabularies of Muslim Mongols, sometimes via Turkic languages. The fifth lexical unit *agaɣar may have been included from Buddhist Sanskrit, and the sixth word *kei — from Middle Chinese. The unexpected conclusion is that the original proto-Mongolian word to have denoted the sky simply cannot be reconstructed. Evidently, the ancient word had been displaced by the loanwords throughout most intensive cultural contacts.

Introduction. The paper deals with the linguistic data documented in Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s Chuvash wordlist, which is known to be the earliest lexicographic source on the Chuvash language. The wordlist was published in Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s 1730 book but had been, most likely, collected much earlier, in 1711. Goals. The study aims to provide a philological interpretation of Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s wordlist and evaluate its significance for the history of Chuvash. This source has been widely considered to be of little linguistic value and, generally, hardly interpretable because of numerous errors and inconsistencies as well as the brevity of the wordlist. The starting point of this article is the idea that Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s wordlist can still be analyzed if it is taken not as an isolated piece of documentation of Chuvash, but within the broader context of, firstly, Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s materials on other languages of Northern Eurasia and, secondly, other sources on the 18th-century Chuvash language. Materials and methods. It is shown that Ph. J. Strahlenberg has documented 30 Chuvash words in total, including 28 words in the Chuvash wordlist proper, 1 word in the main text of his book, and 1 word mistakenly placed in the wordlist of the neighboring Mari language. These materials have been investigated through standard methods of philological analysis, with a main focus on the orthographic peculiarities of the wordlist (considered against the background of other old written Chuvash sources) and on proposing plausible conjectures. Results. The paper provides a comprehensive philological account of each item on Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s Chuvash wordlist. It is established that almost all difficulties of interpretation that are traditionally associated with this source are rooted in the use of limitedly known orthographic patterns and, additionally, in the distortion of the recorded forms during the period after the original documentation and before the publication of Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s book. After introducing conjectures into the wordlist, it becomes possible to reconstruct phonetic prototypes of the documented forms. This, in turn, sets the stage for placing Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s materials on the dialectological map of Chuvash. While not particularly specific in terms of historical dialectology, the features characteristic of this variety can be broadly described as Viryal Chuvash. Given the extra-linguistic evidence available, it can be assumed that Ph. J. Strahlenberg’s Chuvash wordlist was recorded in the vicinity of Šupaškar (Cheboksary). Therefore, the attested dialect should probably be classified among the northern varieties of Viryal Chuvash.

Introduction. The article deals with absurd and paradoxical proverbs resulting from the categorization of proverbial semantics according to the criterion of ‘relation to reality’ in the ontological or logical aspects. Goals. The study aims to identify quantitative and qualitative features of ontological and logical contradictions to reality traced in semantics of Tuvan proverbs. Materials and methods. The work analyzes a total of 770 Tuvan proverbs contained in Tuvan Proverbs and Sayings (1966), Proverbs and Sayings of the Tuvan People (2020), and other sources. The publication employs the author’s methodology for semantics categorization of aphoristic units and their differentiation into semantic types according to the criterion of ‘relation to reality’. Results. The article reveals that one in eight Tuvan proverbs literally (in the direct sense) contradict the existing order of things in the world. The ontological nature of a contradiction to reality in a proverb is implemented via the semantics of the absurd, which is motivated by a situational or verbal context, and it is impossible to interpret the literal content of the proverb — from the viewpoint of logical (rational) thinking — being unaware of that very context. The logical nature of the contradiction to reality in the proverb is implemented via the semantics of the paradox, which can be motivated epistemologically, semantically or formally, and logically. Only one structural part of a proverb can be contrary to reality, and this part always dominates in terms of general content. The Tuvan proverbs that contradict reality are distinguished by the presence of absurdity semantics in one of their structural parts, and that of paradox in the other one. Conclusions. An unexpectedly large number of absurd and paradoxical proverbs in the Tuvan proverb corpus attests to that it is reality’s perception and comprehension — based on the ontological and/or logical contradictions to objective reality — that take a significant place in the Tuvan view of the world.

Introduction. The article examines the functioning of Tuvan in the educational system from a historical perspective throughout the 20th–21st centuries. The work analyzes language development endeavors as part of Tuva’s educational policy, summarizes outcomes of sociological surveys for actual attitudes of Tuvan speakers to their native language as a value. Goals. The paper aims to show the importance of the educational system as a key sphere for language vitality. Materials and methods. The analyzed data were obtained from the research projects as follows: ‘Tuvan for Children’ — a regional educational project attended by a total of 52,186 individuals since 2019 (2019–2020 — 22,931; 2021–2022 — 29,255); and ‘Traditional Family Values in Spiritual and Moral Education of Children and Youth in the Tyva Republic’ — a scientific project to have involved 2,083 respondents in 2022, and aiming to determine whether the latter view their native (Tuvan) language as a value. Results. Outcomes of three monitoring surveys show a year-on-year increase in the number of pre-school children that learn Tuvan and a sufficient language proficiency level of theirs. The study attests to that native language is viewed as a value of the ethnos, and it is family that contributes most to its preservation. Conclusions. In a historical perspective, native language teaching has played a significant role in the educational system’s shaping as such. The actual state support for native languages of the Republic manifested in official languages development programs has significantly facilitated the emergence of additional opportunities for native (Tuvan) language teaching and learning in educational institutions.

Introduction. Altaian mythology is a distinct religious and mythological system, since historical and cultural ties of the Altai people go deep into the ancient and medieval history of Central Asian Turks and Mongols. The article analyzes Altaian myths centered around the culture hero Sartakpai whose image is widely known in folklore traditions of Southern Siberia and Mongolia. Goals. The work aims to identify mythological foundations in the system of cultural landscapes (or ethnocultural space) inherent to the Altai people. Materials and methods. To facilitate this, it is urgent to reveal mechanisms that sustain the religious and mythological tradition, and serve to select, preserve or remove certain elements in plots of myths, folktales, and legends. So, it is a combination of traditional folklore research methods and an interdisciplinary approach that proves instrumental therein. The paper examines multi-genre texts of Altaian folklore from a comparative perspective, and involves comparative materials of related cultures. This makes it possible to consider the Altaian religious and mythological system in its close relationship with the mythological world view, identify some new dimensions, and actualize relations between its ‘ancient’ and ‘new’ layers. Results. It is generally agreed that Altaian mythology is largely etiological by nature and tends to express worldviews and attitudes of the people’s distant ancestors. The Altaian system of cultural landscapes (or ethnic space) comprises a concept of its mythological development. Hierarchically arranged deities and spirits — each occupying a special niche in three-dimensional space — co-exist with culture heroes that had arranged (developed) certain places, rivers, lakes in the Middle World. And it is Sartakpai who proves a most popular hero of Altaian folklore and whose name is associated with origins of some natural objects. In Altaian mythology, he is viewed as a most active builder of the human-inhabited Middle World — and a native of the Altai. His image is creative, and it is him who had left behind lots of productive evidence in cultural heritage of the Altai people that survive to date, the culture hero himself being still perceived as a glorified historical figure rather than a mythological character. Therefore, the image of Sartakpai persists in present-day ethnocultural processes and discourse.

Introduction. In the oral tradition of Kalmyks, type ATU 300 The Dragon-Slayer serves an episode to magic and heroic folktales. In Kalmyk narratives, the main character slays a serpent to save a maiden from death. Such tales begin with that a hero takes the road to eliminate some shortage/trouble, the action be based on the former’s spatial movement. So, the to-be serpent-slayer travels through worlds: he descends to the lower world, returns to the human-inhabited middle one, undergoes some difficulties, and finds a bride. Thus, the motif of way proves central to the considered plots. Goals. The study aims to examine the motif of way in ATU 300-based (The Dragon-Slayer) Kalmyk folktales. Materials. The paper analyzes texts of published Kalmyk folktales. Results. In The Son of Khan Gal — Otkhon Shara (Kalm. Һал хаана отхн шар көвүн), the main character — like a tuuli-uliger hero — sets off on a journey after receipt of a message from his betrothed. And it is the traditional formula ‘good advice, or a palm-sized skin’ that provides a stage for the hero to meet the messenger. When it comes to describe the hero’s departure, the narrative involves the genre of yöräl (‘good wishes’) which goes back to magic folk poetry rooted in the belief word has power, a successful arrival in the other world be guaranteed by certain preparatory action and appropriate attributes that had once accompanied the deceased on their last journey. Another motive for a hero to start on a trip is that his reigning father loses eyesight. In The Story of Tögseg Khaan (Kalm. Ном Төгсг хаана туск тууҗ) sons are supposed to leave and dare see what their father never saw for his sight to recover. In this text, the function of adviser and donor is performed by a Buddhist priest — gelong — who replaces the image of zayachi (‘guardian genius’). The hero’s return journey from the lower world to the middle (human) one is associated with the image of Khan Garuda. Conclusions. The motif of way in ATU 300-based (The Dragon-Slayer) folktales tends develop in accordance with magic folktale morphological patterns (according to Propp) and within the framework inherent to oral (tuuli-uliger) traditions, paralleled by that Buddhist representations replace the earlier ones.

Introduction. The article analyzes essentials of oral narratives recorded from respondents across Kalmykia in 2012–2017, focusing on how the former tend to articulate and characterize past events, activities of certain individuals and folklore characters who had left noticeable marks on the history of the ethnos, in the memory of individuals and society at large. Materials and methods. The study investigates authentic materials — narratives recorded from bearers of the Kalmyk oral tradition expressing their attitudes, assessments, and interpretations of events of the past. When it comes to define the scope of the research object, special attention is paid to theoretical and methodological generalizations developed by V. Shklovsky, W. Labov and J. Waletzky in their works examining oral narratives. Results. The study attests to oral narratives recorded at the beginning of the 21st century in Kalmykia cluster together to shape a specific form employed to register events, preserve and transmit data on the life of certain individuals and ethnos in all its diversity. The paper shows that Kalmyks have preserved the memory of epic heroes, legendary personalities of past eras, about events of later times, and they do find different ways to verbally transmit this knowledge of theirs to the new generation.