Songs of the World-Guardian Man Bringing Down the Bear

Second Section of Munkácsi's Bear Ceremony Songs (1893)

These are the second and third songs of the Second Section — the liturgical cycle of the divine hunt. In the First Section of the bear ceremony, the Sky-Daughter descends from heaven to earth of her own will. In this Second Section, the cycle turns: the World-Guardian Man (Mir-susné-xum), riding his celestial horse, pursues the bear through the forests of the Ob basin and brings it down. The bear narrates its own capture and death in the first person. Song I of this section, from Munkesz, has been translated separately.

The theological structure is extraordinary. The bear is the Sky-Father's own child, yet the Sky-Father has decreed the hunt. The World-Guardian Man is a divine figure — the son or emissary of Lofty Sky (Numi-Tqrém) — sent to do what must be done. The bear prays to its own father for hilly ground to slow the horseman's horse, and the father obliges — but only temporarily. The hunt is not arbitrary violence; it is cosmic necessity. The bear must be taken so that it may be feasted, honoured, and returned to heaven laden with gifts.

In Song II (An-já), three horsemen appear in sequence: black, red, and white — the three cosmic colors, descending from the Sky-Father's direction with the voice of thunder. In Song III (Szigva), the bear is struck by a blow to the crown of its head from above; it twists its sinewed neck to look, and finds a red-horsed rider of the Sky-Father pursuing it. Both songs end with the bear ceremonially feasted in the village and finally released — in Song II, the bear is sent home on the idol's path with silver bells to the sun-travelling king; in Song III, the bear carries baskets of lake-food and fine silks back to the Sky-Father's golden house.

Each song preserves the bear's split-consciousness: one paw serves as a five-part pillow while the other serves as a silk blanket; one nostril sleeps while the other sniffs behind two trees, three trees; one ear sleeps while the other listens for the women's oath-swearing and the men's oath-swearing in the settlements. Even in sleep, the bear is half-awake — attending to the cosmos.

Recorded by Bernát Munkácsi among the Mansi (Vogul) people of the Lozva, Sosva, and Szigva river basins in Western Siberia in the 1880s–1890s, and published in his Vogul Népköltési Gyűjtemény, Volume III: Medveénekek (Bear Songs), Budapest, Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, 1893. These texts have never previously appeared in English.

Song II

The Song of the World-Guardian Man Bringing Down the Bear, at An-já Village

Through the hot-pillowed long summer
that Lofty Sky, my father, has made,
I wander.
Through the sweat-pillowed long summer
I wander.

The dense mosquito-swarm's great torment
I suffer,
the dense gadfly-swarm's great torment
I suffer.
The dense mosquito-swarm's great torment
as I suffer —

I search for the hot lying-place,
I search.
I search for the sweating lying-place,
I search.

The hot lying-place I have found,
the sweating lying-place I have found.

One-side paw —
as a five-part pillow
I lay it down,
as a ten-part pillow
I lay it down.
Other-side paw —
as a thin-felt precious garment's
blanket I use it,
as a thin-silk fine garment's
cover I use it.

One-side nostril —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
run through it.
Other-side nostril
sniffs —
behind the gap that parts two trees
it sniffs,
behind the gap that parts three trees
it sniffs.

One-side stump —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
walk through it.
Other-side stump
listens —
to the women's oath-swearing
it listens,
to the men's oath-swearing
it listens.

During that time,
from Lofty Sky my father's direction
someone descends to me —
with strong thunder's rolling voice
someone descends to me,
with mighty thunder's rolling roar
someone descends to me.

Your beast's son — as long as I am,
I leap that far.
My backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn around:
a black-horsed man
pursues me.

To Lofty Sky, my father,
I call:

"Recently, in my time remaining,
I found a great bull, a forest bull.
The great bull's head I vowed to you,
the forest bull's head I vowed to you.
Lofty Sky my father — hear me!
Send up hilly ground to halt his horse's legs,
pitted ground to halt the beast's legs —
let this black-horsed man
fall behind!"

Now hilly ground to halt the horse's legs
rose up,
pitted ground to halt the beast's legs
rose up.
The black-horsed man's son
fell behind.

Into the dark forest's seven corners
I walk on,
into the deep forest's six corners
I walk on.

Again I search for the hot lying-place,
I search.
I search for the sweating lying-place,
I search.

As I search:
the hot lying-place I find,
I find.
The sweating lying-place I find,
I find.

One-side paw again —
as a five-part pillow
I lay it down,
as a ten-part pillow
I lay it down.
Other-side paw —
as a thin-felt precious garment's
blanket I use it,
as a thin-silk fine garment's
cover I use it.

One-side nostril —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
run through it.
Other-side nostril
sniffs —
behind the gap that parts two trees
it sniffs,
behind the gap that parts three trees
it sniffs.

One-side stump —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
walk through it.
Other-side stump
listens —
to the women's oath-swearing
it listens,
to the men's oath-swearing
it listens.

Your beast's son — as long as I am,
I leap that far.
My backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn around:
a red-horsed man
pursues me,
a ruddy-horsed man
pursues me.

To Lofty Sky, my father,
I pray:

"Recently, in my time remaining,
I found a blood-headed bird,
the fine head of the headed beast
I named to you,
the fine head of the headed beast
I vowed to you.
Lofty Sky my father — hear me!
Send up hilly ground to halt his horse's legs,
pitted ground to halt the beast's legs —
let this red-horsed man
fall behind!"

Hilly ground to halt the horse's legs
rose up,
pitted ground to halt the beast's legs
rose up.
That red-horsed man's son
fell behind.

Into the dark forest's seven corners
I walk on,
into the deep forest's seven corners
I walk on.

Again I search for the hot lying-place,
I search.
I search for the sweating lying-place,
I search.

As I search:
the hot lying-place I find,
I find.
The sweating lying-place I find,
I find.

One-side nostril —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
run through it.
Other-side nostril
sniffs —
behind the gap that parts two trees
it sniffs,
behind the gap that parts three trees
it sniffs.

One-side stump —
the lying dream's seven drowsinesses
walk through it.
Other-side stump
listens —
to the women's oath-swearing
it listens,
to the men's oath-swearing
it listens.

Your beast's son — as long as I am,
I leap that far.
My backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn around:
a white-horsed man
pursues me.

To Lofty Sky, my father,
I call:

"Recently, in my time remaining,
I attacked a great bull's fine herd,
the great bull's fine head
I vowed to you.
Lofty Sky my father — hear me!
Send up hilly ground to halt his horse's legs,
pitted ground to halt the beast's legs —
let this white-horsed man
fall behind!"

With one bound I leap:
he draws near.
With two bounds I leap:
he draws near.
With three bounds I leap:
he draws near still.

Then — your beast's son's
sacred place —
a stinging-nosed, stinging mosquito
bites through it.
The lying dream's seven drowsinesses
now run around me.

Then your beast's son — my four buttons
are unfastened,
your beast's son — my five buttons
are unfastened.

In a cradle with three crossbeams
they wake me.
Your beast's son — upon a white horse's back
they seat me.

To the house of the Woman's Son —
a house the size of a little lake —
they carry me,
to the house of the Woman's Son —
a house the size of a little sea —
they bring me in.

With the lake-food's fine blessing
they bless me,
with the Ob-food's fine blessing
they bless me.

In a girl's merry house
they seat me,
in a boy's merry house
they seat me.

My nights of the beast's due
are fulfilled.

When they release me on the great idol's path —
with a great silver bell's voice
they send me forth.
When they release me on the small idol's path —
with a small silver bell's voice
they send me forth.

To the sun-travelling, seven-kingdom king,
my father —
there they release me, they release me.

Song III

The Song of the Sky-Sons Bringing Down the Bear — a Szigva Song

Through the hot long summer
that Lofty Sky, my father, has set before me,
the seven sable-backed mountain-forests
I roam,
the six game-backed mountain-forests
I roam.

The six sable-backed mountain-forests
as I roam,
through the hot long summer
as I wander —
the dense mosquito-swarm's torment I suffer,
the dense gadfly-swarm's torment I suffer.

The dense gadfly-swarm's torment as I suffer,
foraging on mountain-grown mountain-leaf,
as I wander,
foraging on forest-grown forest-weed,
as I wander —

I search for the abundant fine ground,
I search for the sweating fine ground.

The abundant fine ground
I find,
the sweating fine ground
I find.

Upon the sweating fine ground
I lie down,
upon the abundant fine ground
I lie down.

One-side paw
I lay down:
as a five-part pillow
I lay it,
as a ten-part pillow
I lay it.
Other-side paw
I drape over:
as a famous silk precious garment
I drape it,
as a renowned silk precious garment
I cover myself.

Into the deep of strong sleep
I am carried:
with one-side nostril
I sniff —
behind the snowy tree's seven spaces
I sniff,
behind the icy tree's six spaces
I sniff.
With one-side star
I gaze,
behind the gap that parts two trees
I gaze.

With one-side stump
I listen —
across the lands where ladies dwell
I listen,
across the lands where lords dwell
I listen.
The women's oath-swearing —
I hear it through.

With the other-side stump
I sleep.
With the other-side star
I sleep.

Into the deep of strong sleep
as I am carried,
into the deep of mighty sleep
as I am carried:
Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down
a blow to the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.
Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down
a blow to the strong-backed bear-head's crown —
it throbs.

With three beast-bounds
I leap away,
with four beast-bounds
I leap away.

My backward-facing sinewed neck
I bend,
my backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn:
who could have done this?

Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down —
the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.

A black-horsed man
pursues me.

Toward the dark forest's corner I bend my way,
toward the deep forest's corner I bend my way.
The unknown man's shaping —
my plane-handle sticks I bend,
the unknown man's making —
my plane-handle sticks I tangle.

"Lofty Sky my father — hear me!
Recently, when I walked the sable-forest's back,
if I killed a blood-headed bird:
the fine head of the headed beast I vowed to you.
When I walked the game-forest's back,
if I killed a blood-headed beast's young:
the fine neck of the necked beast I cried to you.
Send down hilly ground where the horse's legs stumble,
pitted ground where the beast's legs stumble!"

The black-horsed man I leave behind.

Into the dark forest's corner I walk,
into the deep forest's corner I wander.

The seven sable-backed mountain-forests
I roam,
the six game-backed mountain-forests
I roam.

I search for the abundant fine ground,
I search for the sweating fine ground.

The sweating fine ground
I find,
the abundant fine ground
I find.

Upon the sweating ground I lie down,
upon the abundant ground I lie down.

One-side paw
I lay down:
as a five-part pillow
I lay it,
as a ten-part pillow
I lay it.

One-side nostril —
I sleep.
Other-side nostril —
I sniff.
Behind the icy tree's six spaces
I sniff,
behind the snowy tree's seven spaces
I sniff.

One-side star —
I gaze.
Other-side star —
I sleep.

Across the lands where ladies dwell I gaze.

One-side stump —
I sleep.
Other-side stump
I bend toward:
across the lands where ladies dwell
I listen,
across the lands where lords dwell
I listen.
The women's oath-swearing —
I hear,
the men's oath-swearing —
I hear.

Into the deep of mighty sleep
I am carried,
into the deep of strong sleep
I am carried.

Into the deep of mighty sleep
as I am carried:

Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down —
the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
someone has made it throb.
The strong-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.

With three beast-bounds
I leap away,
with four beast-bounds
I leap away.

My backward-facing sinewed neck
I bend,
my backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn:
who could have done this?

Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down —
the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.

A red-horsed man
pursues me,
a red-horsed man
overtakes me at a gallop.

The unknown man's shaping —
my plane-handle sticks I bend,
the unknown man's making —
my plane-handle sticks I tangle.

"Lofty Sky my father — hear me!
Lofty Sky my lord — hear me!
When I walked the sable-forest's back,
if I killed a blood-headed bird:
the fine head of the headed beast I vowed to you.
When I walked the game-forest's back,
if I killed a blood-headed beast's young:
the fine neck of the necked beast I called to you.
Send down hilly ground where the horse's legs stumble,
pitted ground where the beast's legs stumble!"

The red-horsed man I leave behind.

The seven sable-backed mountain-forests
I roam,
the six game-backed mountain-forests
I roam.

I search for the abundant fine ground,
I search for the sweating fine ground.

The sweating fine ground
I find,
the abundant fine ground
I find.

Upon the sweating ground I lie down,
upon the abundant ground I lie down.

One-side paw
I lay down:
as a five-part pillow
I lay it,
as a ten-part pillow
I lay it.

One-side nostril —
I sleep.
Other-side nostril —
I sniff.
Behind the icy tree's six spaces
I sniff,
behind the snowy tree's seven spaces
I sniff.

One-side star —
I gaze.
Other-side star —
I sleep.

Across the lands where ladies dwell I gaze.

Into the deep of mighty sleep
I am carried,
into the deep of strong sleep
I am carried.

Into the deep of mighty sleep
as I am carried:

Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down —
the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
someone has made it throb.
The strong-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.

With three beast-bounds
I leap away,
with four beast-bounds
I leap away.

My backward-facing sinewed neck
I bend,
my backward-facing sinewed neck
I turn:
who could have done this?

Lofty Sky, my father, has sent down —
the mighty-backed bear-head's crown —
a man has struck it.

A white-horsed man
pursues me.

Toward the dark forest's corner I bend my way,
toward the deep forest's corner I bend my way.

Toward the dark forest's corner I bend my way.
The unknown man's shaping —
my plane-handle sticks I bend,
the unknown man's making —
my plane-handle sticks I tangle.

Then, as my senses leave me —
upon a black horse's back I awake,
upon a white horse's back I awake.

To the square of the village of daughters
they carry me,
to the square of the village of sons
they carry me.

Into the house of daughters
they carry me in,
into the house of sons
they bring me in.

In a girl's merry house
they seat me,
in a boy's merry house
they seat me.

Upon a three-plank dais
they seat me,
upon a four-plank dais
they seat me.

Upon a dais bountiful with lake-food
they seat me,
upon a dais bountiful with Ob-food
they seat me.

My four nights of the beast's due
are fulfilled,
my five nights of the beast's due
are fulfilled.

To the outside of the house of daughters
I go out,
to the outside of the house of sons
I emerge.

If much — two nights
I spend there;
if much — three nights
I spend there.

Then the basket full of fine silver
I lift,
the basket full of precious silver
I take upon my back.

The basket full of lake-food
I lift,
the basket full of Ob-food
I take upon my back.

To the house of Lofty Sky, my father —
the silver-crossbeam house —
the bundle bountiful with lake-food
I carry up,
the basket bountiful with Ob-food
I carry up.

To the house of Lofty Sky, my lord —
the golden-crossbeam house —
the bundle bountiful with fine silk
I carry up,
the basket bountiful with fine felt
I carry up.

Into the nest of fine silver
I sit down,
into the nest of precious silver
I sit down.

Colophon

Translated from Mansi (Vogul) source text via Munkácsi's Hungarian intermediary by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, March 2026.

Source: Munkácsi Bernát, Vogul Népköltési Gyűjtemény, Volume III: Medveénekek (Bear Songs), Budapest: Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, 1893. Second Section: A világ-ügyelő férfitől való leterittetés énekei (Songs of being brought down by the World-Guardian Man). Song II: pp. 150–166 (An-já village). Song III: pp. 167–187 (Szigva region). Archive.org identifier: f1vogulnpklt03munkuoft.

Translation method: Independent verse translation from the Mansi source text, with Munkácsi's 1893 Hungarian translation serving as the primary interpretive bridge. The English verse was composed independently, following the Mansi parallelisms and ritual diction. No prior English translation of these songs exists; no English reference was consulted.

Terminology: The bear is addressed in the ceremonial third person as uj ("beast") and nörém-ünt-voj ("mighty forest beast"), never by its true name. Its eyes are sqw ("stars"), its ears ankwél ("stumps" or "logs"), its nose sáni ("nostrils"). The bear's fur is its garment; its paws (kátlá) serve as pillows and blankets. Numi-Sorni ("Lofty-Golden"), Numi-Tqrém ("Lofty Sky"), and Numi-Kworés are names for the sky-god, the bear's celestial father. Mir-susné-xum ("World-Guardian Man") is the divine horseman who hunts the bear on behalf of the sky-god. The horsemen ride sernél lüw ("black horse"), kelp lüw ("red horse"), and jánk lüw ("white horse"). The prayer formula requesting lü-la'il saylin má ("hilly ground to halt the horse's legs") and uj-la'il vqnyán má ("pitted ground to halt the beast's legs") is consistent across both songs and both liturgical sections. The bear's "five buttons" (at kenném) is the ritual metaphor for skinning. Ekwa-piris ("Woman's Son") is a name for the divine host. The "plane-handle sticks" (jor-poultép-jiw) in Song III is a metaphor for the bear's legs making criss-cross tracks to confuse the hunter's pursuit.

Liturgical context: These two songs, together with Song I (translated separately), form the Second Section of the bear ceremony cycle. They follow the five descent-from-heaven songs (First Section) and precede the dawn-awakening songs (Third Section) and the closing/escorting songs (Fourth Section). The narrative arc across all four sections describes the complete journey: descent from heaven → life on earth → divine hunt and capture → ceremonial feast → return to heaven.

A Good Works Translation. NTAC + Claude.

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Source Text (Mansi / Vogul)

Mansi source text from Munkácsi, Vogul Népköltési Gyűjtemény III (1893), pp. 150–187. Phonetic transcription by Munkácsi Bernát among the Northern Mansi of the Lozva, Sosva, and Szigva river basins, 1880s–1890s. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above. OCR from the archive.org digitisation of the original Budapest edition; diacritical marks may be partially degraded.

Song II — An-já

Numi-Tqrém asikém variláĺém
sánk qsmán xqsá tüw
jqmilém,

munim qsmán xqsá tüw
5 jqmilém,

qsin lqm jánV saw
totililém,

qsin palm jánV saw
totililém.
10 qsin lqm jánV saw
totném xalt,

qsin palm jánV saw
totném xalt

sánká-kán kinsilém,
15 kinsilém,

munmá-kán kinsilém,
kinsilém.

sánká-kán xqntmém jui-pált,

munmá-kán xqntmém jui-pált,
20 akw pul kátlá-palém

at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinililém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinililém;
25 akw pál kátlá-palém

vouta nuj tinin ta'il
lepililém,

vouta jarmak jqmés ta'il
pantililém.
30 akw pál sáni-palkém

xujné ülém sát saulátné
xajtilawé;

akw pál sáni-palkém
atintali,
35 kit jiw ürtém sáj
atintali,

xürém jiw ürtém sáj
atintali,

akw pál ankwél-palkém
40 xujné ülém sát saulátné
minilawé;

akw pál ánkwél-palkém
xöntélali,

né-nuli nultáéné
45 xöntélali,

xum-nuli nultiléné
xöntélali,

ton qrém-kemt
Numi-Tqrém asém ülté
50 va'ilawém,

nanra sayl mirin turél
va'ilawém,

vaxin sayl mirin sujil
va'ilawém.
55 ujén-pV palitémtél
poryililém,

jüwĺé qlné tanin sipém
jqnxátilém:

sernél luwin xumitán
60 nawélawém.

Numi-Tqrém ásém xum
kástálilém:

«möléx, jüwĺé xüĺtém supát
nürém-xaŕi ünt-xar xqntéim:
65 nürém-xar punkél kástálilém,

ünt-xar punkél kástálilém,

Numi-Tqrém ásém! xölaln:

luwá la'il saylin má
xulitáĺén,
70 ujá la'il vqnyán má
xulitáĺén,

ti sernél luwin xum
voss xultnü.»

an lü-la'il saylin má
75 xulilálém,

uj-la'il vqnyán má
xulilálém,

sémél luwin xumitá pV
xüĺtéláĺém.

80 ser vör sát sámné
elá jqmile'im,
mor vör xqt sámné
elá jqmile'im.

Til ás sánká-kán kinsilém,
85 kinsilém,

munmá-kán kinsilém,
kinsilém;

tox kinsiléném xalté
sánká-kán xqntilém,
90 xqntilém,

munmá-kán xqntilém,
xqntilém,

akw pál kátlá-palkém qs
at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
95 pinililém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinililém;

akw pál kátlá-palkém
vouta nuj tinin ta'il
100 lépililém,

vouta jarmak jqmés ta'il
pantililém.

akw pál sáni-palkém
xujné ülém sát saulátné
105 xajtilawé;

akw pál sáni-palkém
atintali,

kitjiw ürtém sáj
atintali,
110 xürém jiw ürtém sáj
atintali,

akw pál ánkwél-palkém
xujné ülém sát saulátné
minilawé;
115 akw pál ánkwél-palkém
xöntélali,

ne nuli nultiléné
xöntélali,

xum nuli nultiléné
120 xöntélali,

ton qrém-kemt
Numi-Tqrém asém ülté
va'ilawém,

nanra sayl mirin turél
125 va'ilawém,

vaxin sayl mirin sujél
va'ilawém.

ujén-pV palitémtél
poryililém,

130 jüwĺé qlné tanin sipém
jqnxátilém:

kelp luwin xumitán
nawlawém,

vixír luwin xumitán
135 nawlawém,

Numi-Tqrém asém xum
pojkililém:

«möléx, jüwĺé xüĺtém supát
kelpin punkpá akw siski
140 xqntile'im,

punkin uj punkél
namejálilém,

punkin uj punkél
kástálilém,
145 Numi-Tqrém ásém, xölaln:

luwá la'il saylin má
xulitáĺén,

ujá la'il vqnyán má
xulitáĺén;
150 ti kelp luwin xum
voss xültnü!»

lü-la'il sáylin má
ti xulilálém,

uj-la'il vqnyán má
155 ti xulilálém,

an kelp luwin xumitá-pV
xüĺtéláĺém,

ser vör sát sámné
elá jqmilé'im,
160 mor vör xqt sámné
elá jqmilé'im,

Til ás sánká-kán kinsilém,
kinsilém,

munmi-kán kinsilém,
165 kinsilém,

tox kinsiléném xalté
sánká-kán xqntilém,
xqntilém,

munmi-kán xqntilém,
170 xqntilém.

akw pál kátlá-palkém ás
at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinililém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
175 pinililém;

akw pál kátlá-palkém
vouta nuj tinin ta'il
lépililém,

vouta jarmak jqmés ta'il
180 pantililém,

akw pál sáni-palkém,
xujné ülém sát saulátél
xajulawé;

akw pál sáni-palkém
185 atintali,

kitjiw ürtém sáj
atintali,

xürém jiw ürtém sáj
atintali,
190 akw pál ánkwél-palkém
xujné ülém sát saulátné
minilawé;

akw pál ánkwél-palkém
xöntélali,
195 ne nuli nultiléné
xöntélali,

xum nuli nultiléné
xöntélali.

nanra ülém patitán
200 totném xalt,

vaxin ülém patitán
totném xalt,

Numi-Tqrém asém ülté
va'ilawém,

nanra sayl mirin turél
205 va'ilawém,

vaxin sayl mirin sujél
va'ilawém,

ujén-pi palitémtél
poryililém,

210 jüwĺé qlné tanin sipém
jqnxátilém:
jánk luwin xumitán
nawlilawém.

Numi-Tqrém ásém xum
kástálilém:

215 «möléx, jüwĺé xüĺtém supát
nürém-xar jqmés vant
kwaltape'im,

nürém-xar jqmés punkél
kástálilém.

220 Numi-Tqrém asém xölaln:
luwá la'il saylin má
xulitáĺén,

ujá la'il vqnyán má
xulitáĺén,

225 ti jánk luwin xum
voss xültnü!»

akw patil tármateĺim:
ĺapémtawém,

kit patil tarmate'im:
230 ĺapémtawém,

xürém patil tármateĺim:
qs ĺapémtawém,

ton qrém-kemt ujén-pV
jelpin mám

aumin nolpá nolin ĺqm-ujné
235 tara purawém,

xujné ülém sát saulátné
ta xajtilawém.

ta jui-palt ujén-pi nilá kenném
ánywilawé,
240 ujén-pV at kenném
anywilawé.

xürém tqspá tqsin apát
kensémtawém,

jánk lü sisén ujén-pV
245 ünttilawém,

Ekwa-piris ünliléné
man tür janit kwolén
totilawém,

Ekwa-piris ünliléné
250 mán saris janit kwolén
tülilawém,

tür-tep jqmés sunil
suniltawém,

Ás-tep jqmés sunil
255 suniltawém,

ayi kasin jqmés kwolné
ünléptawém,

pi kasin jqmés kwolné
ünléptawém,
260 ujén-pi morsin étem
tq'uilile'it,

jánV pupV tqnyán-ke
tarátawém:
jánV qln sáylin sujil
265 tarátawém;

mán pupV xqnyán-ke
tarátawém,
mán qln sáylin sujil
tarátawém;
270 nájin sát jqnyné xqn
jáx-ém-pált
tü ta tarátálawém, tarátálawém.

Song III — Szigva

Numi-Tárém asém satém
sánkin alpá xqsá tüw

noysin sis sát vanV
xöltilém,
5 ujin sis xqt vanV
xöltilém.

noysin sispá xqt vanV
xöltném xalté,

sánkin qlpá xqsá tüw
10 jqmném xalté

qsin ĺqm-uj sawá totilém,
[qsin palm sawá totilém].

qsin palm sawá totném xalt
urén telem ur-löptá xqlil
15 jqmném xalté,

vörén telem vör-porV xqlil
jqmném xalté

sánkin qlpá jqmés maхél
kinsilém,
20 munmin qlpá jqmés kán
kinsilém.

sánkin [qlpá jqmés] kanémsánkin xqntilém,

munmin qlpá jqmés ka ti
25 xqntilém.

munmin [qlpá jqmés] kanné
xuje'im,

sánkin qlpá jqmés kanné
xaje'im,

30 akw pál kátlá-pál
pinilém:

at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinilém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
35 pinilém,

akw pál kátlá-palém
lepilém,

namin karlá tinin ta'il
lepilém,
40 sijin karlá tinin ta'il
pantilém. —

nanra ülém patitán
totawém:

akw pál nol-sam-palém
45 atintilém,

tüjtin jiw sát xal
atintilém,

jánkin jiw xqt xal
atintilém,
50 akw pál sqw-palém
sunsilaxti.

kit jiw urtém sáj
sunsililém, —

akw pál ankwél-palém
55 xöntélilim.

najin mát-ülttám
xöntlilém,

qtrin mát-ültá
xöntlilém.
60 ne-nuli, xum-nuli
ültá xöntélilém.

akw pál ankwél palém
xuje'im,

akw pál sqw-palém
65 xuje'im.

Nanra ülém patitán
totném xalté,

vaxin ülém patitán
totném xalté
70 Numi-Tqrém ásém satém

vaxin sispá awa-pattá
xum ratém;

Numi-Tqrém jaxém satém
nanra sispá awa-pattá
75 sarratém.

uj xürém patilém
poryilém,

uj nilá patilém
poryilém.

80 jüwĺé qlné tanin sip
xütéltilém,

jüwĺé qlné talán sip
jqnxtilém:

xqnxám varém? —
85 Numi-Tqrém asém tarátém

vaxin sispá awa-pattá
xum ratém;

Numi-Tqrém jaxém tarátém
nanra sispá awa-pattá
90 sarratém,

sernél lüw xumitán
nawlawém.

ser vör sámén xütéltilém,
mor vör sámén xütéltilém,
95 xastal xum sa'irém jor-poultép jiwém
xütéltilém,

xastal xum varém jor-poultép jiwém
moxénlilém.

«Numi-Tqrém ásém xölaln!
100 möláx noysan vör-sist jálmém-ert

kelpin sánsi piyá-ke alásém,
punkin uj punká nanén kástáslém;

möláx ujin vör-sist jálmém-ert
kelpin uj piyá-ke alásém,
105 sipin uj sipá nanén rqnyáslém.

lüw-la'il patné vqnyán má
tarátén!

ujá la'il patné saylin má
tarátén!»
110 sernél luwin xumitá
xüĺilém,

ser vör sámán jamelim,
mor vör sámán jqme'im,

noysin sispá sát vanV
115 xöltilém,

ujin sispá xqt vanV
xöltilém.

sánkin qlpá jqmés kán
kinsilém,
120 munmin qlpá jqmés kán
kinsilém,

munmin qlpá jqmés maхél
xqntilém,

sánkin qlpá jqmés maхél
125 xqntilém,

sánkin kanŕisén
xuje'im,

munmin kanŕisén
xuje'im.
130 akw pál kátlá-palém
pinilém,

at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinilém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
135 pinilém.

akw pál nol-sam-palém
xuje'im,

akw pál nol-sam-palém
atintilém.
140 akw pál sqw-palém
xuje'im,

akw pál sqw-palém
sunsiliem,

kitjiw urtém sáj
145 sunsiliem,

xürém jiw urtém sáj
sunsiliem.

akw pál ankwél-palém
xuje'im,
150 akw pál ankwél-palém
xöntlilém.

najin mát ültá
xöntlilém,

qtrin mát ültá
155 xöntlilém.

ne-nuli nultné xöntélilém,
xum-nuli nultné xöntlilém.

nanra ülém patitán
totném xalt,

vaxin ülém patitán
160 totném xalt

Numi-Tqrém ásém tarátém
vaxin sispá awa-pattá
xum ratém,

Numi-Tqrém jaxém tarátém
nanra sispá awa-pattá
165 sarratém,

uj xürém patilém
poryilém,

uj nilá patilém
poryilém.
170 jüwĺé qlné tanin sip
xütéltilém,

jüwĺé qlné tanin sip
jqnytilém,

xqnxám varém? —
175 Numi-Tqrém asém tarátém

vaxin sispá awa-pattá
xum ratém,

kelp lüw xumitán
nawlawém,
180 kelp lüw xumitán
totéltawém.

xastal xum sa'irém jor-poultép jüwŕisém
xütéltilém,

xastal xum varém jor-poultép jüwŕisém
185 moxénlilém.

«Numi-Tqrém ásém xölaln,
Numi-Tqrém jaxém xölaln!

noysan vör-sist jálmém-ert
kelpin sánsi piyá-ke alásém,
190 punkin uj punká nanén kástáslém;

ujin vör-sist jálmém-ert
kelpin uj piyá-ke alásém,
sipin uj sipá nanén namejáslém.

an lüw-la'il patné saylin má
195 tarátén!

ujá la'il patné vqnyán má
tarátén!»

kelp luwin xumitá xüĺtlém.

noysin sispá sát vanV
200 xöltilém,

ujin sispá xqt vanV
xöltilém.

sánkin qlpá jqmés maхél
kinsilém,
205 munmin qlpá jqmés maхél
kinsilém.

munmin [qlpá] kanŕisém
xqntilém,

sánkin qlpá jqmés kán
210 xqntilém.

munmin kanŕisén xuje'im,
sánkin kanŕisén xuje'im.

akw pál kátlá-palém
pinilém,
215 at lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinilém,

lqu lqmtép lqmtin qsmá
pinilém.

akw pál nol-sam-palém
220 xuje'im,

akw pál nol-sam-palém
atintilém;

jánkin jiw xqt xal
atintilém,
225 tüjtin jiw sát xal
atintilém.

akw pál sqw-palém
sunsiliem,

akw pál sqw-palém
230 xuje'im.

najin mát ültá sunsiliem.

akw pál ankwél-palém
xuje'im,

akw pál ankwél-palém
235 xütéltilém.

najin mát ültá
xöntlilém,

qtrin mát ültá
xöntlilém.
240 ne-nuli nultné
xöntélilém,

xum-nuli nultné
xöntélilém.

vaxin ülém patitén
245 totawém,

nanra ülém patitén
totawém,

vaxin ülém patitén
totném xalt,

250 nanra ülém patitán
totném xalt,

Numi-Tqrém asém tarátém
vaxin sispá awa-pattá
sarratém,
255 nanra sispá awa-pattá
xum ratém.

uj xürém patil
poryilém,

uj nilá patil
260 poryilém.

jüwĺé qlpá tanin sip
xütéltilém,

jüwĺé qlné tanin sip
jqnxéptilém:
265 jánk luwin xumné
nawlawém.

ser vör-samén xütéltilém,
mor vör-samén xütéltilém.

«Numi-Tqrém ásém xölaln!
270 möléx, ser vör-sámén jálmém-ert,

noysan vör-sist jálmém-ert
kelpin sánsi piyá alásém,

punkin uj punká nanén kástáslém;

kelpin uj piyá-ke alásém,
275 sipin uj sipá nanén rqnyáslém,

lüw-la'il patné saylin má
tarátén!

uj-la'il patné vqnyán má
tarátén!»
280 ser vör sámén xütéltilém.

xastal xum sa'irém jor-poultép-jiw
xütéltilém,

xastal xum varém jor-poultép-jiw
moxénlilém.
285 ti xotá torémlém xalté
sernél lüw sisén sajkéle'im,

jánk lüw sisén sajkéle'im,

axin paul kanán totawém,

piyin paul kanán totawém,
290 axin kwol-kiwérné totawém,

piyin kwol-kiwérné tülawém.

ayi kasin jqmés kwolné
ünttawém,

pi kasin jqmés kwolné
295 ünttawém,

xürém part panywit normán
ünttawém,

nilá part panywit normán
ünttawém,
300 tür-tep sunin normán
ünttawém,

Ás-tep sunin normán
ünttawém.

uj morsin nilá etem
305 ta'iltawé,

uj morsin at étem
ta'iltawé:

axin kwol kwoni-palén
kwale'im,
310 piyin kwol kwoni-palén
pate'im,

arxán-ke kitV ét
xpitilém,

arxán-ke xürém ét
315 xöltilém:

sés-vqyi ta'ilin pajp
almilém,

kami-vqyi sunin pajp
almilém,
320 tür-tep ta'ilin pajp
almilém,

Ás-tep ta'ilin pajp
xüntmilém,

Numi-Tqrém asém ünléné
325 qln sirpá sirin kwol-kiwrán

tür-tep sunin xünt
alémtilém,

Ás-tep sunin pajp
alémtilém.
330 Numi-Tqrém jaxém ünléné

sorni sirpá sirin kwol-kiwrán

vouta jarmak sunin xünt
alémtilém,

vouta nuj sunin pajp
335 totilém,

sáli qln sunin pitV
ünttilém,

kami-qln xolan pitV
ünttilém.

Source Colophon

Mansi (Vogul) phonetic transcription and Hungarian translation from Munkácsi Bernát, Vogul Népköltési Gyűjtemény, III. kötet: Medveénekek (Vogul Folk Poetry Collection, Volume III: Bear Songs), Budapest: Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, 1893. Munkácsi collected this material among the Northern Mansi of the Lozva, Sosva, and Szigva river basins in the 1880s–1890s. The original edition is in the public domain. Digitised and available at archive.org (identifier: f1vogulnpklt03munkuoft). The Mansi source text above has been cleaned from OCR extraction; diacritical marks have been normalised where recoverable but some degradation from the digitisation process may persist.

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