VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE IN THE KOMI MYTHOLOGY

Abstract

In the period of the revival of culture of indigenous small-numbered peoples, the study of the mythological origins of the culture of the peoples of the North, in particular, the mythology of Komi, is obviously relevant. The mythopoetic model of the world involves the study of the main binary oppositions, among which the opposition of visible-invisible is of particular importance. In the mythopoetic model of Komi, the sphere of the visible is represented by natural, geographical, landscape descriptions, rich lists of flora and fauna, characters marked by one-eyed or blindness and various ritual practices that require visual observation. The sphere of the invisible is represented by the other world and the practices of visual taboos and amulets. Komi mythology demonstrates the interaction of visual and acoustic images of the world.