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DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2025.30.23.003

ZADALESKI NANA: ARCHETYPAL UNIVERSAL «SAVIOR OF THE PEOPLE» IN OSSETIAN FOLKLORE

Sokaeva, Diana V. , Kaloeva, Zarina Y.
Kavkaz Forum. 2025. Issue 23.
Abstract:

Consideration of archetypal universals in folklore allows us to identify core meanings that ensure the integrity and self-reproduction of a particular tradition over the course of millennia. The image, which is also the archetypal universal of the «savior of the people», mother or woman in general, is organic to the Ossetian mythological and folklore tradition. The gender emphasis on a woman at a fateful moment for society is due to the functional load of a woman as a mother, the mistress of food and other supplies, the keeper of traditions and the owner of knowledge, including prophetic knowledge. The image of Zadaleski Nana as the realization of the archetypal universal «savior of the people» refers to the period when the Ossetian people could have disappeared, but was most likely created later, as a constant of memory: the revival of the Alans-Ossetians begins from this image. We have both folklore texts of a historical song and a legend, which is introduced into scientific circulation, telling about the events associated with Timur Lenk in the North Caucasus, recorded by M. Tuganov, and small texts-memorata about how the villages of the Digor society were subsequently formed. The fact that Zadaleski Nana initially hid the rescued children in the Digori Izad cave is not accidental. The Ossetian sanctuary plays a vital role in regulating the life of Ossetians both in peacetime and in wartime: in this case, according to the beliefs of the Ossetian people, it was supposed to protect in times of mortal danger (asilia). Based on the text of the historical legend that we have introduced into scientific circulation, we also propose an alternative way of saving Zadaleski Nana and her children – not from the area of Tatartup (Upper Dzhulat), but from the side of Mount Beshtau. Although the artistic and generalized description of medieval events in Ossetian folklore, presented in the historical song and legend about Zadaleski Nana, does not create a complete picture of the events that took place, but these same materials indisputably confirm the Alanian-Ossetian continuity.

Keywords: archetypal universal, Tamerlan, Zadaleski Nana, historical song, historical legend, sanctuary.
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For citation: Sokaeva, D.V., Kaloeva, Z.Y. Zadaleski Nana: archetypal universal «savior of the people» in ossetian folklore. KAVKAZ-FORUM. 2025, iss. 23 (30), pp. 44-57. (In Russian). DOI 10.46698/VNC.2025.30.23.003
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