Ethnic Ties Between Buryats and Yakuts: Malǰirag˱ ~ Manǰirag˱ || Malˊdaγar (Malǰaγar) || Malljaγar

Abstract

In this paper they are analyzed the ethnonyms known among the Buryats in the form of Manǰiraγ [Manǯirag˱], Malǰiraγ [Malǯirag˱] etc. (those are Manžirak, Manžirak in Russian spelling, “Manzir” in Russian documents of the 17th century), and among the Yakuts to be attested as Maldˊaγar. The Buryat forms reflected the original *Manǰi Uraγ or *Malǰi Uraγ, where attested in both cases the first element characterized by the development of complex -nǰ- > -lǰ-. The secondary form may be found also in mentioned Yakut Maldˊaγar that to be metathesised version of *Maldˊǝraχ < *Malǰiraγ, due to development of Mong. -raγ > Yak. *-raχ > -γar. So, it is possible to view here another Mongolic borrowing in the register of Yakut ethnonyms. The etymology of the original ethnonym was also analysed in the paper. The word is not based on roots such nor as Manču ~ Manǰu, that is the ethnic name of Manchu people, nor the from Buddhist lexicon word Bandi ‘novice, pupil of a lama’ (> Kalm. Manži), because of problems in chronology for possibility of any of such versions. So, it is of the possible the most optimal version seems to prefer the word analysed to be compared with known in Written Mongolian manǰi ‘an elk’. It may be to argue that the development -nǰ- > -lǰ- attested had made place already in the form of the word have not yet been a part of the ethnonym contracted. Among Tofalars it is known the tribal name Maldˊär < *Malǰi är ‘Malǰi people, people of Malǰi’,. It seems that among both Yakuts and Tofalars it is circulated the secondary form of the Mongolic name. The penetration of the word here had started before 17th century. And one can say also that not only the development -nǰ- > -lǰ- had its place to that time that supported by known among Yakuts personal name attested in Russian spelling as Malegar, i.e., *Maläγar [*Maljäγar], but it was also the Middle Mongolic /ǰ/ > Buryat */dz/ reflected in Russian spelling “Manzirskiy” found in documents of the 17th century.