Бурятские волшебные сказки - 1993

commentaries, the l i sts of prope r and geographic names, and the glossary of rare and un t r anslatable words. For the first time in the series of "Folklore Monuments of the Peoples of Siberia and the Far East" the volumes are supplemented with records that enable the reader to hear and appreciate the native narrator’s performance The first volume contains Buryat fairy tales on genuine Buryat and international topics, the tales that are in effect oral reproductions of the medieval Mongolian written samples tha t go back to the ancient Indian sources. Also included are the tales of uliger bators (bogatyrs). The main characters of the fairy tales are mostly the unfortunate destitute orphans or guiltless but persecuted young men and maidens who fight to restore justice. More often than not they defeat their adversaries due to their wits, dexterity and resourcefulness. Among the popular per­ sonages of the Buryat fairy tales there are characters resembling the iron i c unfortunates of the Russian folklore. Out wardly common and dull, they gradually reveal their inner beauty and merits. Deep in their Meaning and originality are the tales glorifying the skill of gifted narrators, brilliant musitians and talented singers. The narration of fairy tales and uligers seemed to be an indispensable prerequisite of successful hunting which was the main occupation of the Buryats. Going for a hunt the natives took with them the narrators who for the performance of tales and uligers got their fair share of the bag. Very often professional hunters were also talented story-tellers. According to some ancient tales the masters of the taiga and the mountains generously repaid the narrators for their art. I n Buryat fairy tales an important part is played by the "white-headed (white-bearded) old man with a birsh stick". This was a wise adviser and giver who predetermined the favourable turn in the personages’ fate. Animals are also popular characters of the fairy tales. Saved by the personages from dear or danger they often become their wonder-working protectors and helpers. Women rank high in the fairy-tales. They are mothers, wives and sisters of mergens*. Mergen — an epic hero. They are firm and sharp-witted, they are wise and ready to sacrifice their liver for the sake of their relatives and friends. Women find medicinal herbs and cereals and they teach people to plant and grow them. They ere exceedingly skilled in all kinds of house work. Manly and heroic bogatyrs and their heroic feats are one of the major themes of the fairy tales. The appearance of such tales was connected with the dying away of uligers and was mentioned by Ts. Zh. Zhamtsarano at the and of the 19th century. * Mergen —an epic hero.