On the interaction of cultural codes in the ritual tradition

Abstract

The article analyzes the relationships of the verbal component with other elements in the ritual tradition of Tuvans of China, Russia and Mongolia. It is noted that among cultural codes the verbal element stands out with more functionality and semantic charge in performing the rites. The ritual word is closely related to actions performed by the participants of the ceremony (gestures, facial expressions, body movements). The verbal component is pronounced in a certain space and in environment suitable for it conditions that are associated with the spatial code of the ritual. The verbal element is also associated with the time code, since any ritual text is pronounced at a certain stage of the ritual, at observance of timeframe. The interaction of the verbal code with the character code is manifested in the fact that in the rites the text is prefer- ably recited by respected people. The unity of the food code is indicated not only with verbal code, but also with actional, spatial, object elements. In competitions and games the interdependence of verbal components and the game code is revealed. Colour and number elements in verbal code are less noticeable, but they are also used in ritual formulas. The object code has a close connection when the ritual attribute is used while pronouncing the ritual text. The connection of the sound and verbal aspects is expressed when during a ritual texts are pronounced with volume effect.