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DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2024.93.54.003
OSSETIAN FOLK HOLIDAYS OF NOG BON AND NAFY DZUAR IN E.G. PCHELINA’S MANUSCRIPT MATERIALS
Darchiev, Anzor V.
Izvestia SOIGSI. 2024. IIS 54 (93). P.38-48.
Abstract:
This article examines the manuscript materials of ethnographer and Caucasus scholar E.G.
Pchelina concerning the Ossetian New Year cycle festivals of Nog Bon and Nafy Dzuar. While
these festivals held significant importance in traditional Ossetian culture, many aspects of their
practice remain understudied. This research aims to evaluate how Pchelina’s materials enhance
our understanding of these celebrations. Pchelina’s observation regarding the association of Nog
Bon with Khutsau, the supreme deity of the Ossetian religious pantheon, finds support through
ancient Iranian parallels: in Zoroastrian tradition, the winter solstice month was dedicated to
Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity. However, the study notes Pchelina’s erroneous attribution of the
New Year festival Nog Bon to the spring equinox period. Pchelina’s conclusions regarding the nature
of Nafy Dzuar are particularly distinctive. Unlike most scholars who connect it to fertility cults,
she interprets it as a deity bestowing fortune upon family military units during raids. However, the
researcher makes certain misattributions, suggesting an unusually long duration for the festival
(one month) and incorrectly placing it in the spring period. The study also sheds light on Pchelina’s
source materials. One significant source was clearly the ethnographic records of E.E. Barakova in
the Ossetian language. Unfortunately, Pchelina’s independent attempt to translate these materials
led to several inaccuracies. Nevertheless, her manuscripts contain valuable ethnographic data about
the Ossetian New Year cycle festivals of Nog Bon and Nafy Dzuar, making a substantial contribution
to their comprehensive study.
Keywords: ritual feast, New Year celebrations, winter solstice, spring equinox, Nawruz, Tutyr, E.E. Barakova.
Download the full text  For citation:: Darchiev, A.V. Ossetian folk holidays of Nog bon and Nafy dzuar in E.G. Pchelina’s
manuscript materials // Izvestiya SOIGSI. 2024. Iss. 54 (93). Pp.38-48. (in Russian). DOI 10.46698/VNC.2024.93.54.003
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