https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0741-0494
E-mail: sodnompilova@yandex.ru Tel.: + 7 (3012) 43-32-51
6, Sakhyanova str., Ulan-Ude, 670047, Russian Federation
DSc in History, Leading Researcher, Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Sesegma D. Gympilova
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4251-3379
E-mail: gymps70@yandex.ru Tel.: + 7 (3012) 43-32-51
6, Sakhyanova str., Ulan-Ude, 670047, Russian Federation
PhD in Philology, Researcher, Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The study was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research project No. 19–09–00120, “Traditional Medical Knowledge of the Mongolian Peoples in the Past and in the Future.”
Тhis article analyzes the medical techniques and attributes of healers that appear in the epic texts of the Turkic-Mongolian peoples. The study uses a comparative-historical method, which helps to identify common features in the understanding and comprehension of healing techniques, images and attributes of healers. It also employs the method of cultural-historical reconstruction, which helps to determine the logic of archaic views. Healing abilities of varying degrees, as well as the ability to perform magic, are found in various epic works by nomads of the Turkic-Mongolian world, whether seen in the main or secondary characters. The plots of epic works reveal that healing and magic were commonplace in the lives of their protagonists. The most powerful healers are women — the daughters of the celestials, powerful earthly khans, the main epic heroes, and representatives of wildlife (animals, birds, snakes, fish). In general, the epic works of the Turkic-Mongolian peoples reflect some healing practices that were still significant in the early twentieth century, and some even used by modern healers. In particular, this pertains to the sacral purification of a patient from contamination using water from holy springs, stones from sacred mountains, and bark or branches from sacred plants, herbs, or fire.
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Sodnompilova M. M., Gympilova S. D. Healing Techniques and Attributes of Healers in the Epic Works of the Turkic-Mongolian Peoples: On the Origins of Healing Practices. Traditional Culture. 2021. Vol. 22. No. 4. Pp. 112–122. In Russian.