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Plot features of Semyonov-Kyrsa' olonkho “Bie uola Beibeldjin Tulaaiakh” (Orphan Beibeldjin the Mare’s Son)

https://doi.org/10.25587/2782-6635-2025-2-53-64

Abstract

The article is devoted to the plot structure of the olonkho “Bie uola Beibeldjin Tulaaiakh” (Orphan Beibeldjin the Mare’s Son) performed by the narrator F. S. Semyonov-Kyrsa. To understand the peculiarities of the poetics of the epic, it is important to consider the characteristic features of plot structure. The plot structure of an olonkho consists of a beginning, a plot, stages of development, a climax, a denouement and a conclusion. Olonkhos about the bogatyr Beibeldjin Tulaaiakh have a peculiar plot, unique to them. The olonkho plot delves into the representation of different worlds: the Upper, Middle and Lower, each of which plays a significant role in the fate of the protagonist. These worlds not only provide a rich backdrop for the events, but also symbolize the different aspects of spiritual and physical reality that the hero encounters. The story details the trials that the protagonist goes through. The victories over the abaahy demons and the rescue of the Aiyy girls reinforce the theme of the eternal struggle between good and evil, which is the basis for the development of the plot. Family and social ties, the motif of succession and inheritance become important. The discovery of the links between the heroes at the climax emphasizes the importance of descent and lineage as structural elements of the epic. The use of dream and prophecy motifs in the story serves as an important tool for determining the fate of the hero and his descendants. It reinforces the fatalistic elements in the epic, linking contemporary actions to historical context and future consequences. The narrative concludes with the performance of a thanksgiving ritual that emphasizes man's interaction with the spiritual forces of nature and social responsibility to them. The sacrifice to the spirits of water symbolizes gratitude and reinforces the idea of harmonious coexistence. The main methods used were: the method of solid sampling to collect plot motifs; the method of structural analysis to study the structure of the plot.

About the Authors

A. I. Kononova
M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation

Aiyllana I. KONONOVA – 4th-year student, Institute of Languages and Culture of the Peoples of the North-East of the Russian Federation

Yakutsk



T. V. Illarionova
M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation

Tuyara V. ILLARIONOVA – Cand. Sci. (Philology), Associate Professor, Department of Folklore and Culture, Institute of Languages and Culture of the Peoples of the North-East of the Russian Federation

Yakutsk

AuthorID: 532409



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For citations:


Kononova A.I., Illarionova T.V. Plot features of Semyonov-Kyrsa' olonkho “Bie uola Beibeldjin Tulaaiakh” (Orphan Beibeldjin the Mare’s Son). Issues of National Literature. 2025;(2):53-64. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/2782-6635-2025-2-53-64

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