Abstract: The subject of the article is the semantics, structure and plot functioning of the character system in the Yakut heroic epic. The object of the study is the olonkho "Bogatyr Tong Saar" by Semyon Nikolaevich Karataev, which is one of the exemplary texts of the Vilyuisk epic tradition, recorded during the Vilyuisk expedition of 1938. The relevance of the work is due to the need for a detailed study of the system of characters of the Yakut heroic epic, determining their role in the development of the Olonkho plot, identifying new images. The purpose of the article is to reveal the system of epic characters of the Yakut heroic epic "Bogatyr Tong Saar" by S. N. Karataev. The results obtained can be applied in the field of folklore studies in the development of issues of poetics of an epic text, in the compilation of educational and methodological manuals on Yakut folklore. Structural and functional analysis developed by the famous Russian folklorist V. Ya. Propp is used as the main research method. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that for the first time the system of characters of this legend is studied using the methodology of V. Y. Propp. As a result, it was concluded that the olonkho "Bogatyr Tong Saar" by S. N. Karataev presents a whole system of character images. It was determined that in addition to the characters conditioned by the two parts of the olonkho narrative, images of antagonists – heroes, women-abaasi, rivals play an essential role in the unfolding of the plot. It was revealed that in this text a significant place is occupied by the hero's assistants, the wrecker / kidnapper of the hero's wife (the Tunguska bogatyr). Girls / women are passive, but they play a role in motivating the departure of the hero. In the plot of olonkho, there are images of the parents of the bride / wife, a messenger, an old woman adviser Simekhsin, a victim servant, a blacksmith donor, which are not of great importance in the development of the plot, but complement the main images and contribute to their disclosure.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the semantics, structure and plotline of other space in the Yakut heroic epic poetry. The object is the texts of the Yakut heroic epic poetry, namely Olonkho of Vilyuysky tradition. The goal lies in comprehensive analysis of the category of other space in the Yakut heroic epic poetry, particularly Olonkho of Vilyuysky tradition. The article employs the systemic analysis of Olonkho poetics, structural-semantic analysis, and comparative method. Special attention is given to construction of mythopoetic model of the world and correlation between space and plot of the epic poem. The acquired results can be implemented in folklore studies. The novelty of this research consists in the analysis of other space in Olonkho from the perspective of its semantics, structure, and narrative role. This article is first to describe the peculiarities of other space in the texts of Vilyuysky epic tradition. It is determined that other space in the Yakut heroic epic poetry Olonkho is depicted in form of the Lower and Upper worlds, “foreign country” in the Middle world, intermediate zones that hold an important place within the epic worldview and course of events in the plot of Olonkho. The author notes that the texts of Vilyuysky Olonkho preserve the traditional techniques depicting the three worlds; and the difference lies in emergence of the image of shaman dwelling in the intermediate zone, prevalence of the entry into the Lower world without demarcation of its boundaries.

Abstract: This article examines the specificity of geocultural images of the cold in folklore and literature of the indigenous peoples of Yakutia (Yukaghirs, Evens, Evenks, Yakuts) of the Soviet period. The goal consists in studying the specificity of geocultural images of the cold in folklore and literature of the indigenous peoples of Yakutia of the Soviet period and tracing the dynamics of development of such representations. The subject of this research is the geocultural images that characterize the attributes of cold, such as “cold”, “winter”, “snow”, “ice”, “permafrost”. The study leans on works of the scholars dedicated to examination of the folklore worldview, “northern text”, anthropology and conceptology of the cold, and the questions of mythopoeia. The author employs linguoculturological, cultural-historical, semiotic, and geopoetic approaches. The novelty of this research consists in comprehensive examination of the peculiarities of representations on geocultural images with attributes of the cold and extensive coverage of the folklore and literary material based on the folklore materials and literature of the Indigenous peoples of Yakutia of the Soviet period. It is revealed that the indigenous peoples of Yakutia have different representations on these natural phenomena. In the folklore worldview, the representations on the cold mostly have negative connotation. The Yakut national literature of the early XX century adhered to the canons of the traditional worldview, and since the second half of the XX century, the severe climate of the North started to be perceived as something unique and positive. The acquired results can be applied in the field of folklore studies, literary studies, and anthropology in examination of the peculiarities of cultural texts of the North and the Arctic.