The image of the spirit-mistress of the earth in the olohkho epic. Part 1: Static and dynamic characteristics

Abstract

Currently, there appears to be a significant demand for addressing the image of Mother Earth. This study was intended to identify the main characteristics of the image of the spirit–mistress of the earth, Aan Alakhchyn Khotun, in the olonkho epic. Use was made of the structural, functional, and semantic analysis, as well as of the review and generalization, with the principle of historicism being the key one. The analysis has revealed the following stable signs of the image: being a female, a predominance of white color, nudity of breasts, elegant clothes, localization in the world tree, divine origin, and the functions of a nurse, protector, or adviser. A cane and a ladle in her hands or a shamanic tambourine and a mallet have been found to be characteristic attributes of the appearance. The natural prima materia and, in some texts, the anthropomorphic images (little people) of Ereke-Dyereke tend to accompany the arrival of Aan Alakhchyn Khotun. Emphasis is placed on the ornithomorphic hypostasis of the spirit of the words of the image in the form of a cuckoo. The early records demonstrate the phytomorphic hypostasis of the image in question in the form of a fusion of the images of the spirit of the tree and the hostess of the place. A conclusion is drawn that the semantic features of the image of Aan Alakhchyn Hotun reflect the multi-temporal nature of their historical appearances, suggesting further genetic studies to explore the archaic image of the spirit-mistress of the earth.