Good Wish Genre As A Part Of Kalmyk Ritual Folklore

Abstract

Good wish genre as a part of Kalmyk ritual folklore is under consideration in the present article. Oral pieces documented by the authors on expeditions have been divided into nine groups such as good wishes on child birth, good wishes on wedding, wishes on funeral, good wishes on prominent calendar date, good wishes on hunting and fishing, good wishes on cattle-raising, good wishes on journey, good wishes on erecting a felt house. The suggested classification is determined by situational context of performing a ritual. An inextricable link between a good wish and ritual has been distinguished. Applying a good wish to performing a certain ritual is a part of a complex process of folk culture functioning. Good wishes provided a verbal content of a ritual performance. Over time good wishes underwent altering and redefining.A careful observation and analysis allowed the authors to come to the conclusion that good wishes accompany rituals in the contemporary life of Kalmyks. A strong link between rituals and related good wishes contribute to their conservation for posterity.