Local Features of Ballads in Northeast Siberia: Plots of ‘The Mother-in-Law Held Captive by Her Son-in-Law’ and ‘Prince Volkonsky and the Gatekeeper’

This article aims to clarify the characteristics of ballad genre among other works in Northeast Siberia (in Yakutia and a separate settlement Magadan region). It examines local features song variants recorded from long-time residents Yakutia. The source materials used are texts published collections “Folklore Russian Ustye” (1986) “Russian Epic Poetry Far East” (1991). presents songs settlers lower reaches Indigirka River Kolyma basin. Recordings by D. I. Melikov V. G. Bogoraz also utilized. study is conducted using descriptive comparative methods, as well some techniques lexical-semantic analysis. work continues research related specifying repertoire, genre, stylistic that constitute uniqueness epic poetry 19th-20th centuries. specifics their dissemination characterized. first recordings made 19th century compared with documented 20th century. Special attention given “The Mother-in-Law Held Captive Her Son-in-Law.” noted this folklore specimen reflects certain historical realities area where was circulated. reported were lost 1970s.