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DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2022.19.12.002
HUMAN CREATION IN OSSETIAN MYTHOLOGY: TYPOLOGICAL ASPECT
Takazov, Fedar M.
Kavkaz Forum. 2022. Issue 12.
Abstract:
The most fundamental and typical type of Ossetian myth-making is
cosmogonic myths. Cosmogonic myths tell about the origin of the cosmos as
a whole and its parts connected in a single system. The main initial plot of the
creation of the world in Ossetian cosmogony is the origin of the cosmos from chaos.
Part of the cosmogony consists of anthropogonic myths, including the creation of
man, the first human couple or the first people. Ossetian mythology, which dates
back to the Indo-Iranian heritage, has been influenced by Christianity, Islam and
the Caucasian cultural community. The relevance of the study of the motive of
human creation lies in the fact that the study of anthropogonic myths constitute a
significant link in understanding the holistic mythological picture of the Ossetian
world. Based on a typological comparison, the article examines the plots dating
back to the biblical myths about the creation of man. The Ossetian myths about
Atan and Aman, about Aryga and Magra, despite the use of Ossetian folklore
traditions in their retelling, basically retain the biblical stories about Adam and
Eve, the flood and Noah’s Ark. However, most variants with the motif of human
creation, although they have typological similarities in world folklore, do not go
beyond the traditional myth-making. The plot about the Nart hero «Sauassa»,
although it has typological similarities, is of interest because the Sun acts as the
initiator of its creation. In general, all variants of anthropogonic myths expand
the understanding of the mythological picture of the Ossetian world. Historicalcultural,
symbolic and semiological approaches within the typological and
comparative-historical method were used to analyze the plots with the motive
of human creation. Despite numerous works on the mythology of the Ossetians,
anthropogonic motifs remained out of sight of scientists, which determines the
novelty of this study.
Keywords: mythology, cosmogony, anthropogonic myths of the Ossetians, motive of human creation, mythological picture of the world
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