The concept лн ‘cloud’ in Kalmyk folklore revisited

The work studies the concept of cloud (thundercloud) in Kalmyk folklore narratives. Since ideas of this phenomenon are somewhat interdependent and relatively infrequent, those can hardly be reconstructed into a standard concept pattern, which makes the insight relevant enough. The analyzed materials include folklore texts-both published and unpublished, Kalmyk- and Russian-language ones-that represent quite a variety of genres. The efforts have resulted in a reconstructed concept of cloud (thundercloud). In the Kalmyk language, there is only one lexeme to denote the examined atmospheric phenomenon-уулн ‘cloud, thundercloud’ - which in different contexts serves to express different grades of intensity. Cloud is of heavenly origin and is thus naturally ambivalent, this is why it can have both creative and destructive powers. The latter might be determined by archaic perceptions of cloud as an object that brings about darkness and shadows the sun (life). Cloud is a visible object with certain physical properties, such as lightness, color, size, and form. One can trace a link between cloud and the celestial dragon lu that turns into a camel (also considered of heavenly origin) when on the earth’s surface. In Kalmyk folklore, cloud performs a number of functions derived from related archaic beliefs, namely: cloud is a mediator between the upper and lower worlds, it can heal, bring welfare, salvation, serves to notify of approaching guests (both friends and foes). Moreover, cloud proves instrumental in creating hyperboles of height and speed.