Эвенкийские героические сказания: Храбрый Содани-богатырь. Всесильный богатырь Дэвэлчэн в расшитой-разукрашенной одежде. - 1990. [Т. 1.]

SU M M A R Y The present book opens a bilingual (an original text and a Russian translation) academic series « The Folk-lore Monuments of the Peoples of Siberia and the Far East» in 63 volumes which will be coming out over a long period of time. This series is prefaced with an introductory article defining its conception, structure, scientific-historical context and novelty. Two unique Evenk heroic poems «Brave Sodani-hero» and «All-powerful Develchen in the Embroidered and Decorated Clothes» performed by the famous narrator N. G. Trofimov (1915— 1971) are published for the first time. Two sto­ ries are based on the myths about the Evenks living in the Middle (Terrestrial) world and fighting against evil hostile forces on the Low and Upper World. The characters of these legends struggle for their right to live and prosper on their native land. They win and give a start to ancestors of the Evenks. The Evenk epos emphasizes the unity of men and nature reminding of the « roots» of human existence. Both male and female images are wonderful. The introductory articles reveal originality of these narrations, their misical harmony and style, historical and ethnographical details. Musicological and other explanations as well as an enclosed gramophone record with the characters’ songs make the edition highly valuable. The book is intended for experts as well as for all the interested readers.