Domestic animals and birds in traditional rites of the Mordovians: Finno-Ugric context

Introduction. The article presents a study of the functions of domestic animals and birds in the traditional rites of the Mordovians and a number of Finno-Ugric ethnic groups of Russia. Common and unique functions are revealed as well as the level of transformation of animalistic and ornithomorphic rituals of the Mordovians in comparison with the Mari, Udmurts, Komi, Karelians, Vepsians, Khanty. Materials and Methods. The material of the study includes the published folklore and ethnographic sources, field materials collected by the authors. The analysis of the material was carried out using the descriptive and contrastive methods. The synchronic and diachronic approaches were also applied in the course of study. Results and Discussion. The study has revealed a variety of functions of domestic animals and birds in traditional rites of the Mordovians and a number of Finno-Ugric ethnic groups of Russia. In addition to the function of ritual sacrifice in various rites, they perform the apotropaic function in folk signs and fortunetelling, thanksgiving and propitiatory functions in the rituals associated with the patron deities of the elements. In the modern culture of the Mordovians, the traditional ritual functions of domestic animals and birds are being transformed into the utilitarian function. Conclusion. The contrastive analysis of the Mordovians materials with the data obtained from the Mari, Karelians, Komi, Udmurts, Vepsians, Khanty has showed that the ritual tradition of each ethnic group is characterized by a common and a specific use of animals and birds. In the modern ritual practice of these ethnic groups, chickens, roosters, sheep, pigs are used in the utilitarian function.