Preparing for the journey and seeing off in the traditional Bashkir culture

Bashkirs developed various forms and ways of movement throughout the history progress. The vast territory of resettlement of Bashkirs and a various natural landscape promoted emergence of the certain rules connected with the road. This article considers the specificities of preparing for the journey and seeing off accepted by Bashkirs. Studying the culture of road remains relevant since the subject is understudied but important for reconstruction of a holistic picture of ethno-etiquette. The purpose of the study is to determine the road symbols and semiotic aspects of verbal and nonverbal components of farewell to the family, to reconstruct the road culture of Bashkirs in general. In order to achieve this purpose we used an integrated approach which is the analysis of historical, philosophical and ethnographic works. The study accomplished the following tasks: we analyzed the etiquette situations connected with preparing for the journey and seeing off and determined the meaning of the certain etiquette attributes. We used a wide range of unpublished and published sources to fulfill the research. The major source is the field data collected by the author in 2000-2017. As for the published sources, we extracted valuable information from the Bashkir folklore. The study has shown the associative understanding of thread as means of communication between worlds. It has deep historical roots and helps to find parallels with worldview of many cultures. According to research, the road is still accepted as predetermined and predestined. The purpose of the journey, frequency, distance and duration of the forthcoming trip, the status of the traveler determine preparing for the journey and seeing off etiquette. Before a trip it is necessary to receive the blessing of representatives of the upper, middle and nether worlds. The worldview of Bashkirs found reflection in rules of seeing off. Verbal, nonverbal components and attributes of communication as well as the participants of the etiquette situation ensured successful and safety trip. Great importance was attached to preparation for the journey. Ablution and dressing in new clean clothes were obligatory. The behavior of younger members of the family was controlled by adults so they did not harm the traveler with wrong words or actions. Prohibitions and instructions, wishful thinking and magic actions were designed to protect and maintain the traveler in accordance with the accepted rules. They prevented deviations from the given behavioral patterns and helped to feel confident in difficult situations. Fear of the unfamiliar on the road was the reason for implementation of the accepted rules.

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