ОБРАЗ YÖNITKETTÄI НОЧНОЙ ПЛАЧЕИ В КАРЕЛЬСКОЙ МИФОЛОГИИ
THE FIGURE OF YÖNITKETTÄ, THE NIGHT WEEPER, IN KARELIAN MYTHOLOGY

Summary/Abstract: The article is based on the folk and ethnographic materials deposited in the archives of Karelia and Finland. For the first time in the nationalfolkloristics the image of yönitkettäi, the night weeper, is analyzed through the prism of the texts of mythological prose and magicspells, as well as beliefs and rituals. Firstly, the semantic interpretation and correct translation of the name, which has two meanings ofthe childhood disease and of the mythological figure, into Russian was the main purpose of the textological and comparative typologicalanalysis. Secondly, the figurative system and visual parameters, which are common to the spirit of night insomnia, were examined. Asa result, it can be concluded that yönitkettäi is not a single spirit. Its age varies and it can develop and improve its skills. The spirit is connectednot only with the world of the children, but also with the world of adults. This character is most often described as an amorphouscreature, although sometimes its descriptions bear anthropo-, zoo- and ornithomorphic characteristics. Some solar motives can also beobserved in its characteristics. The character’s connection with the elements of water, wild forests and domestic spirits is also identified.

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