Religious and Mythological Concepts as Reflected in the Pectoral Ornaments of the Mari and Mordvins
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2026.1.90.95Keywords:
archaeology, pectoral ornaments, Finno-Ugric peoples, Mari, Mordvins, sulgama, religious and mythological representationsAbstract
The article examines the phenomenon of traditional Finno-Ugric pectoral ornaments as a marker of ethnic and ideological identity. The study focuses on the analysis of the semantics of the ornamentation of Mari and Mordovian female pectoral ornaments. The main purpose of the work is to interpret the symbolic meanings embedded in the decorative elements of the sulgama using the example of the collection of the Archaeological Museum Kazan Federal University. A comparative analysis of the ornaments on metal artifacts and the embroidery traditions of the Mari and Mordva made it possible to overcome the fragmentary nature of the archaeological finds. As a result of the research, key ornamental motifs were identified and interpreted. The main conclusion of the study is that the ornament on the sulgams was not just a decorative element, but served as an important symbolic function. It integrated the ornaments wearer into a system of mythological coordinates and ensured her protection.
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