Noyon Sheareng in folklore of Russia's Kalmyks and Mongolia's Oirats: a historical character and specificity of the image

The article examines legends involving the image of Noyon Sheareng across folklore traditions of the Kalmyks and Oirats (Torghuts) of Mongolia. The specificity of the reflection in the legends of the image of a historical character - the noyon Sheareng (Sheerendorzh, Tseren), who played a significant role in the decision of the governor of the Kalmyk Khanate Ubashi to migrate in 1771, is analyzed. The paper shows that in Kalmyk narratives Sheareng is referred to as a guide with expertise on the lands to be passed through. The popularity of his name is confirmed by the fact it had been preserved in legends up to the early 20th century. However, the very image of Sheareng - a historical figure - remained generalized enough, his name mentioned in one legend to identify a character as the ‘son of Sheareng’ who saved heroes during the period of struggle. In folklore of Mongolia’s Torghuts, Sheareng emerges as an organizer of the migration from the Volga to have tricked the Khan of the Volga nomads into an eastward flee, and also as an ancestor of the ruling clan and founder of the aimak / nu-tuk, which is important to understand the significance of the image in ethnic identity of this group of Oirats. It was concluded that the image of Sheareng in Mongolian Torgut folklore reflects his desire for political leadership, his role as one of the founders of the clan-sword Torgut princes, while in Kalmyk folklore this hero, who played an important role in the history of the people, is given the role of guide, though the origin of Sheareng goes back in direct line to the same ancestor as the Kalmyk Khans.