Mongolian Family Source Legend Comparative Study

In the dissertation I classify the origins of the clans of the Mongols five types on the basis of large collection of the texts about it. It consists of five chapters with introduction and conclusion.In the introduction I give the objects of comparative studies, the sources of materials, the aims and methods of the studies.Chapter one is about "the legends concerning the origins of the clans of the mandate of heaven of the Mongols." In this chapter I approach its forms and origins, and advance that this type of legends originates from "God father" prototype of northern nations, and it is related to the concept of shamanism "three worlds" and the view of the politics and history of the Mongols.Chapter two, I compare the forms of the legends concerning the origins of the clans of the Mongols with the northern nations'.Chapter three is focused on "the legends concerning the animal ancestor" mainly about "B(o|¨)rte (c|ˇ)ino and Qo'ai maral," "bear ancestor," and "cattle ancestor" and compare them with the northern and other nations'.Chapter four, describes "the legends concerning the magic fowl ancestor" by using comparative methods. On the one hand, I compare theMongolian legends concerning "the swan—maiden" with the world-wide legends. On the other hand, compare the Mongolian legends concerning the owl ancestor with the Kazaks', and I believe that the owl which appeared as a patron saint or the first ancestor in the origins of the clans is related to the belief that the owl can eliminate the devil in shamanism.Chapter five, the last type of the legends concerning the origins of the clans of the Mongols — "Tree ancestor". There is no plots that tree bore man in this type of legends, but the totems "Find Baby Under the Tree" and "Tree Father" demonstrate that there is a concept that tree bore man among the Mongols.In conclusion, "the legends concerning the origins of the clans of the Mongols" reflect the concept of the Mongolian history and culture to a certain degree. It is neither made-up story, nor the records of the past history, it is the sacred description of the history about the ancestors. From the view of the economics and culture what the legends concerning the origins of the clans of the Mongols reflected, it took place in the period during the transition from hunting to nomadic life, the disintegration of the clan system and feudal system. It originates from the myths about totems and is closely related to the belief of shamanism. It is characteristics of diversity, pluralism and originality.