The Oirat Epic of Bum-Erdeni: Structural Elements of a ‘Tuul-Uliger’

Introduction. In modern Russian folklore studies, investigations of early epic forms, in particular, Oirat epic narratives are viewed as significant and timely enough. Archaic epic texts thematically dealing with heroic matchmaking constitute the epic genre of ‘tuul-uliger’ (or ‘tuul-uliger epic’), which stadially precedes the heroic one, such as the Kalmyk Jangar, and narrates about exploits of a miraculously born hero. Goals. The study seeks to examine the plot of the Oirat epic of Bum-Erdeni in accordance with the compositional structure of the archaic epic (tuul-uliger), analyze its contents and essentials of the hero’s struggle aimed at defending his clan-tribe and people. Materials. The paper focuses on related Mongolian-, Kalmyk- and Russian-language published sources. Results. Following the archaic epic (tuul-uliger) compositional structure by A. Kichikov, our insight into the Oirat epic of Bum-Erdeni reveals the presence of eight corresponding elements. Some of the elements have distinctive episodes: element 7 in the Oirat epic is presented differently — according to the narrative, it is the old herder Akh-Sakhal who indicates a destined horse to the hero; element 9 is offered in a modified form — the hero takes no part in the competition but tackles a ‘difficult task’ of his would-be father-in-law. With the aid of tuul-uliger structural patterns developed by A. Kichikov, typical plot elements of the Mongolian epic identified by T. Bordzhanova and S. Neklyudov, the paper articulates a total of 14 tuul-uliger elements in the Oirat epic of Bum-Erdeni and examines the latter in a plot sequence. The central image of the archaic Oirat epic — he who keeps the hearth and defends his clan-tribe — is a miraculously born hero, the heir and master of his father’s vast pastures, destined to leave in search of his betrothed, struggle against the many-headed mangas monsters, and set his people free from enslavement.