Bird image in the traditional vision of the Mari people (ethnolinguistic aspect): the cuckoo

This article gives an overview of the cuckoo image from the ethnolinguistic perspective. The cuckoo symbol is very old and is connected with ancient Mari concepts. The cuckoo is often associated with the image of a widow or an orphan. In addition to this, the image of the cuckoo also is connected with images of the funeral and memorial cult of the Mari people. The cuckoo is present in the symbolism of death. It manifests itself not only in fortune telling, but also in a number of omens and superstitions. Like other European peoples, the Mari people ask the cuckoo about the years left for a person to live. The cuckoo is often regarded as a frightening omen. It was regarded as an unhappy omen to hear the cuckoo calling from the right. It is considered to be lucky to have money in the pocket when one hears a cuckoo first. The voice and way of life of this bird distinguishes it from other birds. Girls would ask the cuckoo how many years it would be before they get married. It is said that when the cuckoo starts cuckooing, the water is warm enough to swim. The cuckoo calls incessantly – the weather will be bright and good. A cuckoo near the house foretold misfortune. For the Mari people, cuckoo is a prophetic, sacred bird. Kokkuvote. Kristina Yuzieva: Linnu kujutamine mari rahva traditsioonilises nagemuses: kagu (etnolingvistiline aspekt). Artiklis antakse ulevaade kao kujutamisest, lahtudes etnolingvistilisest vaatepunktist. Kao sumbol on vaga vana ja seotud mari muistsete moistetega. Kagu seostatakse sageli lesknaise ja vaeslapsega. Lisaks sellele on kao kujutamine seotud mari rahva kujutlusega matustest ja malestusteenistustest. Kagu kuulub ka surma sumboolikasse. See tuleb esile mitte ainult tuleviku ennustamises, vaid ka arvukates ennetes ja ebausukommetes. Nagu mitmed teisedki Euroopa rahvad, kusivad marid kaolt, kui palju aastaid on inimesel jaanud elada. Kagu peetakse sageli kurjakuulutavaks endeks. Kui kuuldi kagu kukkumas paremal pool, siis peeti seda onnetuse endeks. Kui keegi kuuleb kagu esimesena, siis peeti seda onnelikuks endeks, et taskusse tuleb raha. Haal ja eluviis eristavad kagu teistest lindudest. Tudrukud voivad kao kaest kusida, mitu aastat kulub, kuni nad abielluvad. Arvatakse, et kui kagu hakkab kukkuma, siis on vesi piisavalt soe, et ujuma minna. Kui kagu lakkamatult kukub, siis tuleb selge ja hea ilm. Kagu maja lahedal kuulutab ebaonne. Mari rahvale on kagu prohvetlik ja puha lind. Marksonad : mari keel, etnolingvistiline aspekt, lind, kagu, sumbol