Mechanisms of Memory in Mental Ecology of the Northern Peoples

Abstract

Theoretical significance, practical relevance and urgency of research regarding ecology of memory within the framework of the northern peoples' ethnocultural tradition is determined by both lack of advanced studies in the area in question and the necessity for development of scientifically valid regional memory policy that would give consideration to the contemporary drift of cultural, ethnical, and ideological identities, while at the same time relying on the traditional mechanisms, forms and institutions of memorial culture in the European North of Russia. The paper mainly aims at the semiotic analysis of a sacred status and stereotypes of behavior typical of the ethnic memory keepers, as well as of mythopoetic algorithms and ritual practices for preservation, interpretation and translation of sociocultural values, codes and meanings within the mental space of the northern peoples' ethnocultural tradition. In reliance upon the analysis of the existing historiographical circumstances, it may be deduced that the scope of ecology of memory as a transdisciplinary research area has not yet overcome its fledging period, which is why the present article shall be considered an attempt to thematize and problematize ecological and commemorative discourse. Methodological background of the research involves the theory of communication along with the phenomenological approach and the methods of structural and semiotic analysis. The main purpose of the article is presentation of scientific results of research on the mental-ecological functionality of ethnic memory keepers, related with mythopoetic algorithms and ritual practices of preservation, interpretation and transmission of sociocultural values, codes and meanings within mental space of the northern peoples' ethnocultural traditions. Close observation of forms, mechanisms and functions of the ethnical ecology of memory within the mental space of archaic and traditional communities of the North and the Arctic has allowed obtaining new scientific results. These are in the first place related to the revealing of mental-ecological functionality of carriers and keepers of the ethnic «deified memory». In the second place, the results contribute to the identification of crucial role of Orthodox hierotopy' heritage in the sacred mental ecology of the Pomor Land. Geocultural space of it was "territory of memory and meanings" accomplishing a higher prototypical mission of a memorial within Russian and world culture.