«Ak ash» – white food in the traditional culture of the Altaians

Abstract

In the study, milk appears not just as food, but as one of the highest traditional values of the Altaians «ak ash»- white food, symbolizing well-being, fertility and wealth. An attempt has been made to consider milk and dairy products as a source of human comprehension of the traditional picture of the world, culturally conditioned ideas about the properties, characteristics of products that, in addition to their natural properties, carry meanings that are functionally significant for culture. Attention is also paid to the semantics of the «ak»-white color. In the culture of the Altaians, this color occupies a special place, it is sacred. The article uses folklore texts to reflect archaic ideas. The presented modern field material of the author testifies to the stability of views and the preservation of the special place of «ak ash»-white food in modern Altai society. The work consists of two parts, in the first part information about the traditional experience in the preparation of dairy products is involved, this information is relevant today, due to the interest in the national cuisine. In the second part of the study, milk and dairy food is examined from the point of view of religious beliefs, its place in ritual practice. Key words: milk, dairy products, sacredness, altaians.