Bird image in the traditional vision of the Mari people (ethnolinguistic aspect): the cuckoo

Authors

  • Kristina Yuzieva University of Tartu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12697/jeful.2014.5.2.10

Keywords:

Mari language, ethnolinguistic aspect, bird, cuckoo, symbol

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the cuckoo image from the ethnolinguistic perspective. The cuckoo symbol is very old and is connected with ancient Mari concepts. The cuckoo is often associated with the image of a widow or an orphan. In addition to this, the image of the cuckoo also is connected with images of the funeral and memorial cult of the Mari people. The cuckoo is present in the symbolism of death. It manifests itself not only in fortune telling, but also in a number of omens and superstitions. Like other European peoples, the Mari people ask the cuckoo about the years left for a person to live. The cuckoo is often regarded as a frightening omen. It was regarded as an unhappy omen to hear the cuckoo calling from the right. It is considered to be lucky to have money in the pocket when one hears a cuckoo first. The voice and way of life of this bird distinguishes it from other birds. Girls would ask the cuckoo how many years it would be before they get married. It is said that when the cuckoo starts cuckooing, the water is warm enough to swim. The cuckoo calls incessantly – the weather will be bright and good. A cuckoo near the house foretold misfortune. For the Mari people, cuckoo is a prophetic, sacred bird.

Kokkuvõte. Kristina Yuzieva: Linnu kujutamine mari rahva traditsioonilises nägemuses: kägu (etnolingvistiline aspekt). Artiklis antakse ülevaade käo kujutamisest, lähtudes etnolingvistilisest vaatepunktist. Käo sümbol on väga vana ja seotud mari muistsete mõistetega. Kägu seostatakse sageli lesknaise ja vaeslapsega. Lisaks sellele on käo kujutamine seotud mari rahva kujutlusega matustest ja mälestusteenistustest. Kägu kuulub ka surma sümboolikasse. See tuleb esile mitte ainult tuleviku ennustamises, vaid ka arvukates ennetes ja ebausukommetes. Nagu mitmed teisedki Euroopa rahvad, küsivad marid käolt, kui palju aastaid on inimesel jäänud elada. Kägu peetakse sageli kurjakuulutavaks endeks. Kui kuuldi kägu kukkumas paremal pool, siis peeti seda õnnetuse endeks. Kui keegi kuuleb kägu esimesena, siis peeti seda õnnelikuks endeks, et taskusse tuleb raha. Hääl ja eluviis eristavad kägu teistest lindudest. Tüdrukud võivad käo käest küsida, mitu aastat kulub, kuni nad abielluvad. Arvatakse, et kui kägu hakkab kukkuma, siis on vesi piisavalt soe, et ujuma minna. Kui kägu lakkamatult kukub, siis tuleb selge ja hea ilm. Kägu maja lähedal kuulutab ebaõnne. Mari rahvale on kägu prohvetlik ja püha lind.

Märksõnad: mari keel, etnolingvistiline aspekt, lind, kägu, sümbol

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Published

2014-12-11

How to Cite

Yuzieva, K. (2014). Bird image in the traditional vision of the Mari people (ethnolinguistic aspect): the cuckoo. Eesti Ja Soome-Ugri Keeleteaduse Ajakiri. Journal of Estonian and Finno-Ugric Linguistics, 5(2), 205–221. https://doi.org/10.12697/jeful.2014.5.2.10