9. Historical Stories, Legends and Myths of Sakha (the Yakuts)

Introductory article, text preparation, translation, commentaries and indexes by N. A. Alekseev, N. V. Emelyanov, and V. T. Petrov.—Novosibirsk: Nauka. Siberian Publishing Firm, RAN. 1995.—400 pages.

The volume contains 56 examples of legends and myths of the Sakha (Yakut people), 41 of which are published here for the first time.

The main milestones in the development of the Sakha nation are reflected in three cycles of historical legends: about the first ancestors who came from the south to the northern Lena River, about the clan founders in the era of development and dissolution of the patriarchal system during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and about the rebel Vasily Manchaary, depicting further stratification of Yakut society in the first half of the 19^th century. Myths are represented by stories about gods, totemic animals and birds, spirit masters of lands and forests, and about malevolent beings. The book also contains legends and myths about shamans and their miraculous deeds.

The accompanying record contains audio recordings of portions of a myth and a historical legend.

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