Калмыцкий рукописный обрядник «дурных предзнаменований» в записи И. И. Попова

Abstract

Goals. The article aims to describe and introduce into scientific circulation Ivan I. Popov’s handwritten book of Kalmyk rituals to avert ‘bad omens’. Materials and methods. The work explores the original manuscript of I. Popov stored at the State Archive of Rostov Oblast (Rostov-on-Don, Russia). The paper introduces comparative typological analysis. Results. Preliminary analysis shows that this is a handwritten ritual book compiled according to the principles of dogjur since it provides detailed descriptions of bad omens and most importantly — ways to avert them. The ritual book is actually a compilation which is evidenced by its structure. It comprises signs to be recognized from birds, cows, bulls, horses, camels, sheep, pigs, moles, and humans. The great value and uniqueness of this ritual book, in our opinion, lies in that reflects everyday life of the Kalmyk people as to elimination of bad signs with indications of specific objects and actions — sometimes a whole ritual. The aversion rituals may employ a variety of elements, such as arrows, stones, skins, gold coins, copper, bronze, threads, candles, paper, clothes, bones, raw meat, blood, milk, water, etc. The signs and aversions also pay attention to phenomena of nature, cardinal directions, times of day and other aspects, which attests to that the former include centuries-old observations and accumulated knowledge of the people.