Ethnopolitical History of Altai of New and Newest Time Through the Prism of Folklore and Literature

The work is dedicated to the problem of reflection of ethnopolitical history in the folklore of the native population of the Altai. A great place in the authentic legendary collection is taken by the legends whose plots go back to the XVII-XVIII centuries - the time of Dzhun- gar empire. The key images of Altai historical images have become, on the one hand, the images of defenders (Oirot-khan, Shunu, Amur-sany) and, on the other hand, the images of invaders - kyrgyns. Having appeared in the XVII-XVIII centuries, the theme of opposi­tion was actualized in XIX and then in the XX centuries. It still defines the constants of eth­nic self-awareness of the Altai people and is reproduced not only in an oral form but also in professional literature. Relying on the past experience, the native population of the Altai determines the ways and perspectives of its ethnopolitical development.

Keywords: ethnopolitical history, native peoples of the Altai, Dzhungar epoch, folklore, historical prose, symbols of national identity.

Ethnopolitical History of Altai of New and Newest Time Through the Prism of Folklore and Literature