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CULT OF HORSE IN THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE YAKUT PEOPLE

V. S. Matveeva, S. I. Petrova, S. A. Akekseeva

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the cult of horse in religious beliefs of the Yakut people, its role in the myth and epic traditions and its place in the ritual culture. We’ve attempted to make a cultural analysis of an image Horse and horse cult in traditional ritual culture of Yakut people from symbolic, semiotic and sacral point of view, i.e. horse is worshipping and honorable animal, that has sacral nature. In former times, every family keep a horse. Its’ pattern as symbol of traditional culture exists almost in all rituals (ysyakh national summer holyday, family and household, all kind of works, in special cattle breeding rituals) of Yakut people that concern all aspects of peoples’ life. These rituals have regulative nature of behavioral norms in ritual culture, for example, “Aiyysyty ataaryy” – a farewell ceremony of god “Aiyysyt”, “Kyidaa” – sacrificing horses to supreme god “Yurung Aiyy toyon”, “Djalyn ylyy tuoma” – ceremony of requesting to strengthen woman’s libido, “Ytyk tabatyy” – ceremeny of sacrificing horses to the evil spirits of upper world. And, of course, religious cult of horse is fully demonstrated in wedding ceremony and burial rite.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2017/62/S28.083

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