On the Issue of Mythological Characters of the Russians of the Central Chernozem Region (the 19th – Early 20th Centuries)

Abstract

The article discusses a most important component of the spiritual culture of the southern Russian population – namely, mythological representations. The aspect selected for examination is that of mythological characters common to the beliefs of the population of the Central Chernozem region in the 19th – early 20th centuries, and the changing in perceptions of them toward the 21st century, as well as the mythologems and euphemisms used to designate one or another character. The author makes an attempt to show the local variations of such beliefs present in different areas of the region.