Symbolic images of insects in Еven folklore

The article is devoted to the study of the symbolic semantics of insects (mosquito, louse, beetle, caterpillar) in the context of various genres of Even folklore. The relevance of this study is justified by the lack of a comprehensive analysis of this topic in the context of Even folklore. This study is of fundamental importance for understanding the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Evens, as well as for an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of mythologization and symbolization in traditional societies. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time a comprehensive analysis of insect images in Even folklore is carried out, which allows us to expand existing knowledge about the mythopoetic picture of the world of the ethnic group and identify unique aspects of its cultural code. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the mythological, symbolic and cultural functions of the mosquito, louse, beetle, caterpillar in Even folklore, as well as to determine their place in the system of traditional Even ideas about the world and nature. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were formulated: to identify the mythological and symbolic connotations associated with each of the insects studied; to determine the functional aspects of insects in the Even tradition. The study used a comprehensive methodological approach, including contextual analysis and semiotic research, which allowed not only to identify the superficial meaning of insect images in folklore, but also to reveal their deep symbolic and mythological essence. The analysis of Even folklore showed that insect images play an important role in shaping the mythological picture of the Even world. Myths about mosquitoes, in particular, symbolize the struggle between good and evil and inevitable troubles. Prohibitions on complaining about mosquitoes reflect mythological and educational aspects aimed at maintaining harmony with the environment. Lice among the Evens are multifunctional symbols that foretell trouble or death. Their appearance in a mythological context can be interpreted as a sign of intervention by supernatural forces. In the epic, lice symbolize the life cycle, which emphasizes their importance in understanding human destiny. Even signs associated with beetles indicate their connection with weather phenomena. The activity of beetles is considered an indicator of upcoming changes in nature, which indicates the Evens’ deep understanding of natural cycles. The hairy caterpillar in mythology acts as the spirit-master of the deer. The caterpillar symbolizes the cyclical nature of natural processes and the harmony between man and nature. The research prospects involve an in-depth study of the symbolic images of insects in Even folklore, as well as an expansion of the geographical and temporal context of the study to identify universal and specific characteristics of the perception of these images by different ethnic groups.

1. Tolstoy NI. Language and folk culture. In: Tolstoy NI. (ed.) Essays on Slavic mythology and ethnolinguistics. 2nd ed. Moscow: Indrik Publ.; 1995:15‒27 (in Russian).

2. Gura AV. Animal symbolism in the Slavic folk tradition. Moscow: Indrik Publ.; 1997:912 (in Russian). (Traditional spiritual culture of the Slavs / Modern research)

3. Gudkov DB., Kovshova ML. The body code of culture: materials for a dictionary. Moscow: Gnosis Publ.; 2007:288 (in Russian).

4. Ozheredova YuI., Yarzutkina AA., Titu VS. Mosquitoes in Chukchi mythology: on the issue of the semantics of the mythologem. Modern scientific thought. 2020;(6):165‒173 (in Russian).

5. Cao Jiaqi. The component “louse” in the Russian paremiological space (against the background of the Chinese language). Philology and culture. 2019;55(1):102‒108 (in Russian).

6. Oinotkinova NR., Erlenbaeva NV., Sarbasheva SB. Names of dipterous insects in the Altai language (based on folklore). Eposovedenie. 2024;4(36):46–58 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.25587/2782-4861-2024-4-46-58

7. Badmaev AA. Entomological images in the worldview of the Buryats. Bulletin of the Novosibirsk State University (NSU). Series: History, Philology. 2020;19(3):110–118 (in Russian).

8. Bokova EN. Even folklore. Yakutsk: Bichik Publ; 2002:216 (in Even).

9. Burykin AA. Minor genres of Even folklore. Riddles, proverbs and sayings, prohibitions-amulets, customs and prescriptions, signs (research and texts). Saint Petersburg: Petersburg Oriental Studies Publ.; 2001:288 (in Even and Russian).

10. Nikolaev SI. Evens and Evenki of southeastern Yakutia. Yakutsk: Yakut Book Publ. House; 1964:201 (in Russian).

11. Robbek VA. Folklore of the Evens of Berezovka: examples of masterpieces. Yakutsk; Severoved Publ.: 2005:360 (in Even and Russian).

12. Danilov EA. Irkenmel, Oyinde, Metele. Yakutsk: Pink Seagull Publ.; 1991:48 (in Even and Russian).

13. Kuzmina RP. Representation of the concept KOMAR in the Even language picture of the world. Philological sciences. Theoretical and Practical Issues. 2023;16(5):1440‒1443 (in Russian).

14. Tsintsius VI. (ed.) Comparative dictionary of the Tungus-Manchu languages. Materials for the etymological dictionary: Vol. 1; Vol. 2. Leningrad: Nauka; 1975:672 (Vol. 1); 1977:992 (Vol. 2).

15. Robbek VA., Robbek ME. (eds.) Even-Russian dictionary. Novosibirsk: Nauka Publ.; 2005:353.

16. Kharuchi GP. Nature in the traditional worldview of the Nenets. Saint Petersburg: Historical illustration Publ.; 2012:160 (in Russian).

17. Sharina SI., Kuzmina RP., Nesterova EV. et al. Verbal traditions of the Evens of Yakutia. Novosibirsk: Nauka Publ.; 2023:344 (in Even and Russian). (Monuments of the ethnic culture of indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East; Vol. 46)

18. Zhukova LN., Prokopyeva PE. Folklore texts of the Yukaghirs of the Upper Kolyma. In: Gabysheva LL. et al. (eds.) Language ‒ myth ‒ culture of the peoples of Siberia. Vol. 2. Yakutsk: YaSU Publ. House; 1991:146‒167 (in Russian).

19. Khristoforova O. Myths of the northern peoples of Russia. From the creator Numa and the raven Kutkha to the demons Kule and the evil spirits of Kan. Moscow: Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publ. House; 2023:288 (in Russian).

20. Petrukhin VYa., Agapkina TA., Vinogradova LN., Tolstaya SM. (eds). Slavic mythology. Encyclopedic dictionary. Moscow: Ellis Lac Publ.; 1995:416 (in Russian).

21. Tolstoy NI. (ed.). Slavic antiquities: ethnolinguistic dictionary: in 5 volumes. Vol. 1: A‒G. Moscow: International relations Publ.; 1995:578 (in Russian).

22. Tsintsius VI., Riches LD. (eds.) Russian-Even dictionary. Moscow: State Publ. House of Foreign and National Dictionaries; 1952:777.

23. Kuzmina RP. Conceptual features of the concept SUMMER in the Even language picture of the world. Russian Linguistic Bulletin. 2022;34(6):1‒5 (in Russian).