Calendar rites and holidays of the Altaians and Teleuts: classification and general characteristics

The paper is devoted to the classification and general characteristics of the calendar rituals and holidays of the Altaians and Teleuts. The research material covers published and unpublished archival and field material of the ritual folklore of the Altaians and Teleuts. For the first time, a general classification of the calendar rites of the annual cycle is given, taking into account the lunar calendar: winter, spring-summer and autumn rites. Winter calendar rituals and holidays of the Altaians are connected with the New Year celebrations (Chaga Bairam) according to the Eastern calendar when a pagan ritual of feeding the fire (san salar) is performed. The ritual actions typical of other rites appear in Dyilgayak ritual for welcoming spring. The spring-summer and autumn calendar rites performed by the Altaians, both southern and northern, are associated with the rite of sacrifice to the earth (Dyazhyl Byur and Sary Byur, Kocho-Khan). In well-wishing, the glorification of the earth (Jer-suu), Altai, deities of the highest pantheon is a cross-cutting theme. Altai songs (jangar kozhong) performed during these rituals are also aimed at praising Altai, the forces of light. The main motifs of game ritual well-wishes and tabyr songs during the autumn ritual of fertility, Kocha-Khan, are the motifs of fertility and increasing wealth. A distinctive feature of the Teleuts’ winter calendar rituals is such ritual genres as Christmas carols yurei and tabyr performed in spring and autumn rites of worship of the earth.

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