ON THE ISSUE OF ATTRIBUTING NOGAIS TO THE DESCENDANTS OF WESTERN KIPCHAKS (CUMANS, POLOVTSIANS)

The questions of the history and formation of the Nogais, as well as their ethnic identity, are inseparable from their classification as either eastern or western Kipchaks. This is necessary to determine the place of the Nogai nation on the political and ethnogeographic maps of Eurasia and to create a proper image of the ethnos, especially in the context of the ongoing scientific discussion on this issue. The aim of the study is the problem of relating the Nogais to either western or eastern Kipchaks and their succession from them. Within this objective, an attempt has been made to compare established linguistic paradigms with contemporary research in this area; to analyze the collective historical memory of the Nogais in terms of their western Kipchak origins. The source base includes medieval chronicles, folk epic poetrys, shejere (genealogies), works from Erzya-Moksha folklore, and classics of Nogai literature. A wide range of works by scholars who researched the Polovtsian heritage and history has been utilized. This is the first comprehensive study on the affiliation of the Nogais with either western or eastern Kipchaks. It introduces into scientific circulation the tale of "Koten Batyr and Kobek Batyr" and conducts an analysis of the work. The geographical location of the “Nogai country” from Erzya-Moksha folklore has been established. A wide spectrum of narratives confirms the concept of the Nogais as direct descendants of the Cuman population of Western Desht-i-Kipchak, who have preserved its language and folk memory.