Изображение покровителей урожая в мифологической поэзии осетин (в помощь учителю осетинской словесности)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of images of patrons of harvest and fertility in the mythological poetry of Ossetians. It pays great attention to the theoretical understanding of the concept under study, which is considered in the context of the mythological thinking of the ethnos. The relevance of the article is due to the insufficient elaboration of the problem being raised. In this study, for the first time, its comprehensive understanding is carried out, since until now only its individual aspects have been reflected. In the Ossetian mythological pantheon, the patrons of harvest and fertility among the Ossetians-Ironians are Wasilla, among the Ossetians–Digorians - Khuareldar and Borkhuarali. The patron saint of Wasilla has been deeply revered in Ossetia since ancient times. Shrines dedicated to this deity were built in many villages, sacred trees were planted, festivals were held, and rituals were performed. The celebration dedicated to Wasilla was popularly called “Chori bon” (“Harvest Festival”). In some settlements of Ossetia, Wasilla was endowed not only with the functions of the deity of harvest and fertility, but also the patron of various natural phenomena – lightning and thunder. In order to save the harvest from prolonged rains or, conversely, a long drought, as well as other weather disasters, a holiday was held in honor of Wasilla, accompanied by a variety of magical actions. Numerous songs extolling the patron saint of the harvest testify to the worship of the Ossetians of Wasilla. As noted above, the Ossetians-Digor patrons of the harvest are Khuareldar and Borkhuarali. The named patrons of the harvest in the mythological poetry of the Ossetians are endowed with almost the same features as Wasilla. In various folklore sources, Huareldar and Borhuarali often act as father and son. In the view of the ancestors of Ossetians, Huareldar and Borhuarali, like Wasilla, were powerful patrons close to the people. Hence, in mythological poetry, they are endowed with both the features of the celestials and the earthly man, they provide and help people in carrying out agricultural work: they act as ploughmen, then sowers, then guides, etc.