MODERN PRACTICES OF REGIONAL AND ETHNIC IDENTITY OF THE YAKUTS (NORTH ASIA, RUSSIA)

Abstract

Numerous attempts to find the “key” to the identity of a people, sooner or later lead to the need for the analytical approach to mythological-poetical, epic and cultural heritage of peoples studied. This paper presents the analysis of the traditional Yakut epos Olonkho, which is considered by the group of researchers as a mechanism for establishing and maintaining ethnic integrity of the people. The presented results of the research, including the data obtained by the authors in field research, are based on the methods of linguistic and cultural analysis and social constructivism, and serve as key positions, forming a special, integrated self-perception of Yakuts – this process is assisted by the unique properties inherent in the epos itself, such as: fixating the special place of this ethnic group in human history, presence of heroes of universal importance, with supreme physical and spiritual qualities, given by gods; and the sacral connection with the traditional features of everyday life. The content and features of performance of Olonkho is a model illustrating these properties.