VILYUY FOLKLORIC EXPEDITION OF 1938: MATERIALS ON THE YAKUT HEROIC EPOS OLONKHO
The article examines poorly investigated materials on olonkho gathered by S. I. Bolo and A. A. Savvin during Vilyuy expedition of 1938. For the first time the author analyzes in the comparative aspect the level of the collectors’ training, their principles and methods to fix folklore, the state of archival manuscripts. It is shown that the records are distinguished by the choice of model olonkho texts, more accurate transfer of oral speech, detailed certification and commenting on the words. The state of archival materials is unsatisfactory, urgent restoration work is required. S. I. Bolo paid special attention to historical legends on ancestors. A. A. Savvin focused on the poetical aspect of folklore and gathered a lot of materials on the Yakut heroic epos. The organized correspondent network provided the Institute’s archives with valuable folkloric materials. Vilyuy expedition was a fundamental basis for the further collection activity of S. I. Bolo and A. A. Savvin in the northern districts of Yakutia.