Mythologogem of water (river, sea, ocean) in the Altai literature (on the example of works by D. Kainchin and K. Telesov)
The article explores the myth of the water / river (or other water sources) in the works of D. Kainchin and K. Telesov in the context of Altai literature. As an example, such works of Altai writers as the story “Old yarattan” (“From the Other Coast”) and the stories “Kӧzibiste Kӧk-Kaya” (“The Blue-Rock is in our eyes”), “Talkan” and “Ekulep Dyurgen Bir Dyurum" ("One Life, Lived Together") by D. Kainchin and the novel "Kadynјaskyda" ("The Katun in Spring") by K. Telesov. The work reveals the authors' attitudes to the problems of the coexistence of humanity and nature through the mythological images included in the artistic texts. In the introduction, the marker of water space, as the designation of its territory, is presented in the lyric poems of Altai poets. In the writers' prose works - the water marker is considered as the sacral center of the Universe. As a reflection of the national identity, the specifics of the culture and ethnic characteristics of the Altai people, the folklore-mythological and individual author's symbolism are considered. Through the mythology of water, the comprehensive paradigm of the mythopoetic image of Kadyn-talai (The Katun-Sea) is revealed. In order to identify the function of water as a purification / ablution, Altai folklore and mythology were used. In particular, for example, fragments of washing the bogatyr girl from the heroic epic “Ochy-Bala” (A. G. Kalkin) in the milky sea were investigated. The mythopoetic side of the researched works of D. Kainchin clearly represents the archetypal nature of the presented images and motifs, enriching the plot with an ethno-psychological interpretation. The Katun River in the story of D. Kainchin is similar to the mystical axis of the earth, the world tree, the world mountain and it is represented, like in many nations, in the female image - with all the contradictions: the ability to give birth and take life (the dual nature of the river is noted). For Altai literature, the revelation in D. Kainchin's prose of the motives of the “restless soul”, “suffering” and “freedom” of people, whose life is taken by the river, is presented as a concept of dual peace. In the novel by K. Telesov, the image of the Katun is represented metaphorically and personifies the turbulent period of the Altai's historical path - the construction of socialism.The Katun as a symbol of national life, is associated with the high water of the spring river. In the works of these authors, the motive of the river also acts as a symbol of the division of space.