Articles
On semantics of the traditional women's costume and ornament in the cultures of Oirats and Kalmyks
Elsa Bakaeva
Vostok/Oriens '2017, №6
DOI: 10.7868/S0869190817060061
The article analyzes the semantics of a solar-type ornament “zeg” in the traditional female costume of Kalmyks and Oirats. Its ornament is examined in the context of the symbolism and semantics of women's clothing that had ceremonial function. The author focuses on the ritual that confirms the symbolism of dress with wide sleeves as a sign of an ungulate (probably the totem). The author also draws attention to the traditionally used to “zeg” material and the etymology of the term – “the hair/wool spun yarn/rope”. Based on the analysis of the iconic symbols of women's sleeveless, the author comes to the conclusion that semantics of “ser” as a sign of subordination and connectivity may be connected with hunting rites.
Keywords: women suit, Oirats, Kalmyks, decoration, equipment, the South Siberian type of clothing, ritual
Pages: С. 61–75
