Buryat genealogical nickname-formulas

• Published in: Филология: научные исследования no. 9; pp. 36 - 45
• Main Authors: Debenova, Zinaida Antsiferovna, Dashibalova, Darima Vladimirovna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2025
• ISSN: 2454-0749; 2454-0749
• DOI: 10.7256/2454-0749.2025.9.74946

Nicknames-formulas represent a little-studied layer of Buryat folklore and function as stable verbal formulas that establish the characteristics of particular ethnic groups based on various traits. This study focuses on genealogical nicknames-formulas—expressions closely linked to legends about the origin of Buryat tribes and clans. Their content reflects key motifs of the narrative genealogical tradition, such as miraculous births, foreign origins, and migration. The structure of genealogical proverbs is characterized by strict grammatical organization, based on repetitive syntactic patterns, as well as active use of phonetic techniques (alliteration and assonance), which give them formulaic stability and facilitate the oral reproduction of traditions. The research aims to identify the structural and semantic features of the examined formulas, determine their functions as carriers of collective memory and means of fixing ethnic identity, and analyze the specifics of their existence in narrative, ritual, and genealogical contexts. The methodological basis of the study relies on an interdisciplinary approach that combines principles of folklore studies, linguistic analysis, and memory research. Comparative-typological and structural-semiotic methods are employed to identify stable grammatical patterns and functional characteristics of the formulas. This comprehensive approach allows for their interpretation as mnemonic formulas of collective memory that ensure the preservation and transmission of ethnocultural information. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the complex description of Buryat genealogical proverbs within the context of memory studies. It is demonstrated that these formulas are not only an element of artistic folklore but also a significant mechanism for preserving and transmitting ethnic identity. It has been established that they possess a grammatical structure based on repetitive patterns, demonstrate intertextual connections with origin legends, and perform a distinct mnemonic function. The results obtained allow genealogical formulas to be regarded as a key component of oral tradition, linking genealogical plots with the narrative practices of ethnic groups. The findings of the study can be applied in future research in folklore studies, ethnology, cultural anthropology, as well as in projects aimed at preserving intangible cultural heritage.