This dissertation explores the idea of "wealth" and how it is expressed in Ukrainian folk culture, daily life, and rituals. It also tracks the changes in the meaning of the concept over time. The research involved identifying and describing a collection of texts related to the embodiment of "wealth" in everyday and ritual practices. Field research was conducted using the structured narrative interview method.
This work presents helpful strategies for studying the concept of "wealth" in both traditional and modern Ukrainian culture. It identifies several micro-concepts that are used to express the concept of "wealth" in calendars, family households, and occasional rites. Additionally, the text explores how the concept of "wealth" is expressed through verbal, action, and attributive forms. Finally, it clarifies the changes in the meaning of "wealth".
The introduction establishes the relevance of the dissertation topic, defines its purpose and tasks, formulates the research object and subject, and indicates the scientific novelty and practical significance of the obtained results.
The first chapter, titled "The Concept of Wealth: Historiography and Research Methodology," examines the material base, as well as theoretical and methodological foundations, of our research. Through our analysis, we have determined that the term "concept" is particularly pertinent to our study, allowing us to view folklore texts in a fresh light.
In the research subsection titled "Source Base of Research," it was discovered that samples of oral folk creativity from Ukrainians, known as folklore, are an essential aspect of Ukrainian culture. These samples provide valuable insight into national life, everyday life, traditions, beliefs, and hopes. We have identified collections of folklore that contain records of rites and ritual folklore from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, providing information on wealth and well-being. We have also highlighted the method adopted in modern folkloristics and ethnological science, which involves recording folklore material personally by the collector.
The subsection "Concept in Humanitarian Studies: From Linguistics to Anthropology and Folkloristics" analyses the works of both domestic and foreign researchers in establishing the term "concept." It is determined that the conceptual approach is vital for folkloristics because the concept is a mental unit that appears in a specific situation of implementation in verbal, action, and attributive forms.
In the second chapter, titled "The Concept of Wealth in Calendar and Family Rituals of Ukrainians," it was found that the tradition of providing wealth during calendar and family rituals has undergone significant changes but has not died out. Instead, it continues to develop actively.
In the "Calendar Rites" subsection, there is an analysis of various rites performed during the winter, spring, and summer-autumn cycles. The findings indicate that in traditional society, the main source of wealth comes from the harvest livestock fertility. It has been highlighted a number of micro-concepts. It was found that the emergence of ritual innovations testifies to the survival of the concept of "wealth" in the public consciousness.
The subsection "Family and Household Rites" analyzes individual-focused family and household rituals such as birth and christening, wedding, and funeral and memorial rites. It has been studied a number of attributes, with the help of which the concept of "wealth" is realized in maternity and household rituals.
In chapter three, titled "The Occasional Modern Oral Tradition's Interpretation of Wealth," we conducted an analysis of data collected from individuals of varying ages, professions, and fields of work. Our findings indicate that the traditional culture of Ukrainian peasants has a significant impact on the formation of the concept of "wealth" in these situations. Many omens and beliefs are based on binary oppositions of the mythological type.
