Shaman as a Prophet in the lyrics of Alampa

Abstract

The subject of this research is the theme of the mission of poet and poetry in works of the pioneer of Yakut lyrics A. I. Sofronov-Alampa. The goal of this article consists in comprehensive analysis of the image of poet in his lyrics. The theme of poet and poetry is traced throughout his artistic journey. Alampa’s poetic heritage features 43 compositions on this topic, which is 12.6% of all his poems. It is noted that the aesthetic views and principles of Alampa were formed under the influence of the poetry of A. Pushkin and M. Lermontov. Reminiscences, constant references to the image of Prophet allow concluding that adoption of traditions of the classics led the poet to portraying the image of the Creator – a mediator between the divine powers and a human. However, the poet took a different approach towards this matter, through the “prism of the spiritual heritage of his nation”, and introduced into his native literature the image of Shaman as the higher force possessing the power of healing and word. Reflecting on the genesis of nature and poetic talent, Alampa refers to the founder of Yakut literature Alexey Kulakovsky as the Shaman – a Creator from God. But first of all, the Shaman at Alampa is a benevolent person – Algyschyt, who heals the wounded and lost souls with power of the word, and guides to the path of happiness. Sofronov grants a special mission and higher purpose to the Shaman-poet – “touch the hearts of the people with the word”.  The scientific novelty consists in the attempts to examine the image of poet in the lyrics of Alampa.