Home – Home – Jornals – Humanitarian sciences in Siberia 2014 number

Based on the archival and field materials and on the published data the present article describes complex of traditional mythological beliefs of Khakasses in regard to such historical and cultural monuments as mounds. The most important structure-forming element of these ancient burial structures is stone. It is a natural and integral part of the environment. Accessibility and specific properties of the stone contributed to the fact that it easily became part of life аnd culture of the Khakass people. While using and processing the stone humans could utilize their creative and intellectual potential. The stone and its image in the worldview of Khakasses is endowed with a wide semantic field. It reflects all stages of human life and accompanies man fr om his birth to death. It was believed that the stone was an integral part of human life; that it predetermined births and new lives while deaths are still marked with gravestones. Stone often acts as a common magic item. In the Khakass culture it is perceived as a sacral object - an embodiment and translator of sacred forces of nature. The stone was connected with a complex of archaic representations such as cults of mountains; worshipping spirits - masters of certain places; honoring the ancestors. People believed that patronage of the stone idols ensured fertility, prosperity and success in the lives of local people. In this connection, the people worshiped both the stone and the place wh ere it was located, deifying the whole sacral area. In mythological consciousness of Khakasses mounds were firmly linked with images of their legendary ancestors.