Ethnogonic Texts in the Indo-European Tradition

Abstract

This article examines the texts of the Indo-European tradition, which narrate about the myths of the origin of different peoples. Thus, a segment of the Anglo-Saxon runic series correlates with Tacitus’s description of the origin of the Ingaevon tribe. As a result, the parameters of the ethnically derived text are reconstructed. The parameters explain the choice of the sequence of the runes of the Anglo-Saxon futhork. The restored text testifies that the Ingaevons, who had the totem deity Ing, lived on the shores of the Ocean, and this was their homeland. Ethnogonic texts also tell about the correlation of totem and ethnonym in past eras. The German influence on the choice of the ethnonym “Rus”, determined by the alliterative connection of the name of the country with the name of Rurik’s tribe, has been explained. The “Rurikids” ethnonym itself came from the name of the Rhos tribe. Many ethnogonic texts are associated with sacrificial rituals. In this context, of interest is the name “Italia”, which takes its origin in the sacred texts of the high sacred style. The most ancient Indo-European inscription in the Lusitanian language, written in a high style and telling about the origin of the Veaminikori tribe, is analyzed. The names of sacred animals are opposed to the profane names in the Latin prayer to the god Mars. The souuitaurilia prayer bears witness to the repertoire of sacrificial texts about dairy animals. As a result, it becomes clear that the name “Italy” is derived from the name “uitulus” in a high sacred style. Thus, the thematic contours of Indo-European texts containing ethnogonic myths about the origin of peoples are revealed. The boundaries between cultures are erased, and the Indo-European prototext comes to the fore, giving impetus to the genesis of ethnonyms, the naming of totems, as well as the names of their own tribal leaders. In the end, we can conclude that the sacred names of young dairy animals are represented in the Lusitanian language. In the rite of sacrifice, the scale of high style is attested. The name “Italia” refers precisely to the solemn sacred layer of vocabulary, but already acts as the implicit name of a Latin prayer to the god Mars. The practice of giving names incorporated rules, which vary from tradition to tradition. Attention is drawn to the special nature of ethnogonic texts that shed light on the origin of peoples. Cultural boundaries can be the indicator that generates recognizable patterns that migrate from culture to culture