On the specificity of the worldview of Erzya and Moksha matrimonial myths

Abstract

Mythology is the form of consciousness of the primitive and early class society, which reproduces the views of a human on cosmos, God, and society. The object of this research is Erzya and Moksha myths on matrimonial relations. The subject of this research is the specificity of the worldview of Erzya and Moksha myths founded on the matrimonial relations. Detailed analysis is conducted on the specificity of reflection of philosophical and sociological motifs in the Erzya and Moksha matrimonial myths that emerged in the context of formation of the patriarchal family based on the social, moral and legal norms of existence. The author also explores the uniqueness of matrimonial relations with deities and people. Which gives a conceptual perspective on the type and character of the ethnic family, and the role of family in human life. The conclusion is made that stating a family by deities and people is a continuation of creation of the world in the sphere of family and social life. The author’s special contribution to this research consists in the proof that the presence of the indicated aspect in the myth is the reflection of the naive idealistic ideas and spontaneous materialistic views; substantiation of the high humanistic status of a woman in family life; designation of the heroic traits given to a woman by birth as fundamental; comprehension of matrimonial relations between deities and people through the prism of co-creation. This article is first to analyze the peculiarities of the worldview of matrimonial myths and introducing it into the scientific context, which defines its novelty.