시베리아 이텔멘족 신화의 세속화 양상과 배경 연

Abstract

In this article, I will examine the secularization aspect of the Itelmens myth and its background. In order to achieve this purpose, I will first examine the original sacredness of the Itelmens myth through the action of the most frequently appearing person ‘Kytx’ in the Itelmens myth. Based on these discussions, I will examine the aspect of the secularization of the myth, in which the person named ‘Kytx’ appears in the later period, and examine the social and cultural background. ‘Kytx’ in the myth of Itemens plays a number of roles such as a <creator>, as a <culture hero>, and as an <ancestor of people>. He is considered a unusual and extraordinary figure. Therefore his act belongs to the realm of ‘transcendence’ which is empirically inexplicable, and it is related to sacredness in this realm. And his act takes place in time and space in the beginning of the world. Such time and space are divine ones. Itelmens myth with ‘kytx’ lost its sacredness and gradually became secular. In this secularized story ‘kytx’ is no more than an ordinary figure following its earthly desires. In this case, the act of ‘kytx’ and the time and space belongs to the realm of ‘reality’ and ‘experience’. This is an example of how Itelmen mythology loses its sacredness and becomes a folktale with secularity. Traditional culture of the Itelmens is based on animism, fetishism, shamanism, and totemism. They regarded these beliefs as sacred. However, due to the influence of Russian Orthodox Church on the lives of the Itelmens, only Christian world was perceived as sacred and their traditional culture became perceived worldly. Consequently, their myth based on the traditional beliefs was gradually secularized.