Traditions of Epic Storytelling in the Folk Culture of the White Sea North

This article examines the relationship between the main features of Russian folk literature in the White Sea North and the development of a maritime harvesting lifestyle and culture, and folk worldviews, in the harsh natural conditions of the subarctic zone. The “White Sea” or “Belomor” variation of the Russian North culture is analyzed within the overall cultural and historical context of the vast region’s formation. Several clarifications are made regarding the conceptual boundaries between the terms “Russian North”, “White Sea North” (Belomorye) and “Pomorye”. The author concludes that while “Belomorye” functions as a strictly geographical designation, “Pomorye” — when applied to the coastal zone of the Russian North — requires continuous contextualization in historical and ethnographic terms. Consequently, when examining the local characteristics of this northern oral heritage, the author prefers the descriptive adjective “Belomor.” Verbal creativity within the traditional culture of the White Sea region served as the primary mechanism for transmitting moral principles, preserving cultural memory, and communicating folk worldviews. This found expression both in everyday speech patterns and in the diverse genres of folk literature, wherein Russian oral epics and storytelling occupied a special place. The study identifies the key conditions that influenced the relatively long-term preservation (until the mid-20th century) of the Northern Russian, and in particular the Belomor-narrative tradition. Among these are the active exploration and settlement of the North during the Russian Middle Ages, spanning several pivotal stages in the consolidation of Russian statehood; the slowdown and stagnation of the region following the reforms of Peter the Great and the onset of the Russian New Age, when St. Petersburg assumed a dominant role on the northwestern frontiers; the ruggedness and uneven development of northern territories, which allowed local customs to survive in relative isolation; and a demand for storytelling driven by specificities of the folk worldview and the seasonal rhythms of maritime trades. The traditions of epic storytelling rank among the most ancient cultural practices of the Russian North. An examination of the everyday existence of these epic tales reveals several distinct functional levels. The archaic roots of the storyteller’s art are linked to rituals aimed at harmonizing, ordering, and “calming” the surrounding natural and spatiotemporal elements, as well as protecting against their hostile manifestations. For a long time, the epic tradition of the Russian North remained a vital genre for poetically reflecting upon national history and for transmitting historical and cultural memory.