The migration of 1771 in Kalmyk folklore and written monument

The article is devoted to the consideration of the story of the migration of most of the Kalmyk people in 1771 to Central Asia in Kalmyk folklore. The purpose of the article is to examine the texts of non-fairy-tale prose of the Kalmyks about the migration of 1771 and compare them with the data of the written monument “History of the Kalmyk Khans” and historical facts. The texts of the non-fabulous prose of the Kalmyks, recorded in different periods, from the end of the 19th century to the 21st century, which preserved the memory of the historical event that split the ethnos into two parts, are analyzed. In Kalmyk folklore these texts are called tuudzi, which corresponds to a legend about a real historical event or person in which poetic details are woven. The plot structure of the texts under consideration is diverse, but generally includes common elements. Historical characters Ubashi, Tsebek-Dordzhi are active in them, Bambar and Sheareng are mentioned - all 4 main leaders during the migration of the Kalmyks; real historical facts are mentioned. In most of the legends, the main attention is paid to Tsebek-Dordzhi, who is described as the main contender for the khan’s throne and honored to become the imperial son-in-law. The article highlights the main plot motifs of the legends about the migration of 1771. It is noted that the direction of migration is thought in legends as to Altai, the ancestral homeland, as well as in the written monument “The History of the Kalmyk Khans”. For the people, whose ancestral homeland was Altai, migration was thought of as a return to the former nomads. Therefore, there are motives in historical legends that go back to epic tales.