The objective of the study is to analyze the ethnocultural context of the existence of personal
songs of Koryaks (of Chavchuvs and Nymylans), in particular, the representations of modern
representatives of indigenous small-numbered ethnos of the Far East. Personal songs are considered to be one of the main genres of Koryak musical folklore. The work is based on the author’s
field studies as well as published literature sources. The paper provides musical terminology in
Koryak language with translation into Russian. The author comes to the conclusion that the personal song has many functions in the traditional culture of Koryak. Understanding these functions
can clarify the peculiarities of the world picture of ethnos, provide an insight into life and death,
reveal the significance of the cult of ancestors, define the processes of personal identification
in the traditional society and the unification of this society, show the sacred and therapeutic effect
of music-making, etc. Some representations of Koryaks are found to be close or related to the
ethnic traditions of Chukchi, Itelmens, Kereks, Yukaghirs, Ude, Evens, Nganasans, Nenets, Enets,
Kets and Selkups, Mansi and Khanty, whose intonation cultures also include the genre of personal
songs.
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