CYCLE OF UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL RELATIVES: STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

In the proposed by the author structure of the cycle of traditional Ukrainian maternity rites, each of them is
divided into constituent elements – episodes, and is polyepisodic or polyelemental. The defined criteria for division are: new level, generalizing repetition of the event; material and spiritual metamorphosis of the characters of sacred action; change of sacral chronotope; principle of constant vivification. By the example of the rite of delivery, a composition and antinomies were established, change and expansion of the chronotope and the level of sacralization, which expands when entering the rite and curtails leaving it, are investigated; examples of characters-mediators – actions and mediation episodes are given.