TTLA: The character system in M'nong epics and the issue of genre

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name:Trieu Van Thinh                                 

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: May 8, 1974

4. Place of birth: Ngoc Lac, Thanh Hoa

5. Decision No. 3676/QD-SDH, dated October 28, 2009, of the Director of Hanoi National University, recognizing the doctoral student.

6. Changes in the training process: none

7. Thesis title:The character system in M'nong epics and the issue of genre.

8. Major: Folklore Literature Code: 62.22.36.01

9. Scientific supervisor:1. Prof. Dr. Le Chi Que,2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Hong Ky                                          

10. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:

The collection, research, translation, and publication of M'nong epics have achieved considerable success. However, previous studies have only generally examined the central character of the M'nong epic, without comprehensively researching the entire system of characters within it. This thesis systematically examines the characters of the M'nong epic. Prominent in the work are the heroic characters, who possess extraordinary strength, innate talent, and exceptional appearance, always achieving glorious victories. Alongside the hero are supporting characters, who either assist or oppose him. Each character has their own unique characteristics and beauty, but their primary function and role is to highlight the image of the hero in both combat and productive labor. In the M'nong epic, folk artists constructed a system of characters based on a complex concept. Accordingly, the beautiful woman and community characters contain more realistic elements than others. The heroic and opposing characters clearly demonstrate a blend of reality and myth. The symbolic (magical) and messenger characters, however, are almost unique representations of genuine mythology. In successfully portraying this class of "monster-human" characters, the folk authors were strongly influenced by mythological thinking. The diverse characteristics of the characters in Ot Ndrong are the result of spontaneous thinking, lacking any fixed principles as is often seen in written literature. It can be said that, although the inspiration of praising the hero predominates, the interpretation of the hero's achievements and victories in the M'nong epic also reveals a naive concept from the childhood of humanity within the ancient M'nong community. All these characters have created a multi-faceted, multi-colored epic that has captivated and enchanted generations of M'nong people. Studying the character system of the M'nong epic will provide important evidence to help prove that the M'nong epic is a mythological epic.

The issue of the M'nong epic's genre is currently subject to differing opinions. In 1995, Do Hong Ky identified the M'nong epic as a mythological epic. However, at that time, due to limited documentation and the small number of collected works, he did not have the opportunity to conduct a thorough study to prove his point. Besides Do Hong Ky, some others argue that Ot Ndrong is a genealogical epic, an epic with strong creationist elements, or a heroic epic… Based on the research results of this thesis, we affirm that the M'nong epic is a mythological epic.

The research results further affirm the literary, historical, cultural values ​​and cultural-artistic functions of the M'nong epic, and especially its position and role in the life of the M'nong community today. This provides a reliable basis for the preservation of the Ot Ndrong treasure in particular and the folk culture of the M'nong people in general.

11. Practical applications:

The research findings provide a reliable basis for the conservation of the Ot Ndrong treasure trove in particular and the folk culture of the M'nong ethnic group in general.

12. Future research directions:

Based on the results of this thesis, further research will be conducted on the epics of the Central Highlands in particular and the folk culture of ethnic groups in the Truong Son - Central Highlands region in general.

13. Published works related to the dissertation:

1. Trieu Van Thinh (2007), “Traditional wedding ceremony of the M'nong people”,Arts and Culture Magazine (11), pp. 95-98.

2. Trieu Van Thinh (2008), “Some rituals in the funeral ceremony of the M'nong people”,Scientific journal of Tay Nguyen University (3),pp. 38-43.

3. Trieu Van Thinh (2008), “The technique of “delay” in M'nong epics”,Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (3),pp. 44-49.

4. Trieu Van Thinh (2009), “Some issues concerning customary marriage and family law of the M'nong people in current life (Through a survey in Dak Ndrung commune, Dak Song district, Dak Nong province)”,Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (5),pp. 77-86.

5. Trieu Van Thinh (2010), “The system of supporting characters in M'nong epics”,Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (7),pp. 105-112.

6. Trieu Van Thinh (2010), “Similarities in the techniques of constructing heroic characters in Ede epics and M'nong epics (Through a comparative perspective)”,Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (7),pp. 113-122.

7. Trieu Van Thinh (2012)("Community imagery in M'nong epics"Central Highlands Social Sciences Journal (6),pp. 71-74.

8. Trieu Van Thinh (2013), “Performance environment and religious function of M'nong epics”,Central Highlands Social Sciences Journal (11),pp. 40-43.

9. Trieu Van Thinh (2014), “Determining the genre characteristics of M'nong epics (Viewed from the perspective of performance environment and life function)”,Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (11),pp. 113-119.

THE INFORMATION OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Trieu Van Thinh                         2. Sex: male

3. Date of birth: August 5, 1974 4. Place of birth: Ngoc Lac – Thanh Hoa

5. Admission decision number: Decision recognized as a Ph.D. Student No. 3676/QD-SDH, October 28^th, 2009 of the Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in academic process: no

7. Official thesis title:The system of characters in the M'nong Epics and genre issues.

8. Major: Folk Literature Code: 62.22.36.01

9. Supervisors: 1. Prof. Dr. Le Chi Que, 2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Hong Ky

10. Summary of thenew sensationsof the thesis:

The collection, research, translation and publication of the M'nong Epics have achieved a lot of success. However, previous studies have only studied a generalization of the central characters of the M'nong Epics without doing a research as a whole on the system of characters in the M'nong Epics. In this thesis, we study characters of the M'nong Epics scientifically.The most Import featureSprintepics are heroic figures. They are the people who have extra-ordinary power, innate talent, extra-ordinary appearance always make the famous victories. Appearing aside the heroic characters are the minor characters, they are always on the side of the hero in the role as booster or are in opposition. Each character has characteristics, his or her own beauty but the functions and roles are mainly to highlight the figure of the heroic people in combat as well as in labor and production. In the M'nong Epics, folk artisans who built the system of characters in a complex concept. Whereby, beautiful characters and community characters contain much more realistic elements. Heroic figures and opposite characters clearly show the mixture between reality and myth. In addition, symbolic characters and news transmitting characters are almost a unique figure of the true legends. Portraying the character classes "monsters - human beings" successfully, folk authors are strongly influenced by mythological thoughts. The character classes in Ot Ndrong appear under many different characteristics are the result of spontaneous thoughts, which are not intended unified under a fixed rule as often seen in written literature. We can say, although the inspiration of raising a hero is dominant besides that, how to explain the feats and the victory of the heroes in the M'nong Epics also shows an infantile concept of human childhood in the M'nong ethnic community in the ancient times. All systems of characters created a multi-audio epic picture, colorful enchanting, captivated many M'nong generations. The investigation into the system of characters of the M'nong Epics will be important evidence to contribute to prove that the M'nong Epics are the mythological epics.

Currently, the issue about the genre of the M'nong Epics contains some different opinions. In 1995, Do Hong Ky identified the M'nong Epics as mythological epics. However, at that time due to the lack of materials, there are few collected works, so he cannot yet investigate a broad way to prove his point. Beside Do Hong Ky, some people suppose that Ot Ndrong is a genealogical epic, a deep creation, a heroic epic, etc. Based on the research findings of the thesis, we affirm that the M'nong Epics are the mythological epics.

The findings of the research confirm the value of literature, history, culture and functions of culture - arts of the M'nong Epics and especially their position and role in the lives of the M'nong community nowadays, which is a reliable basis for conservation of Ot Ndrong treasure in particular and folk culture of M'nong ethnic people in general.

11. Practical applicability, if any:

The results of the study are reliable basis for conservation of Ndrong Ot treasure in particular and folk culture of M'nong ethnic people in general.

12. Further research directions, if any:

Based on the results of the thesis, people will deploy theses of Central Highlands Epics in particular and folk culture of ethnic groups in Truong Son - Central Highlands in general.

13. Thisis-related publications (List them in cronological order):

1. Trieu Van Thinh (2007), "The traditional wedding of M'nong ethnic people",Journal of Arts and Culture (11),pp. 95-98.

2. Trieu Van Thinh (2008), "Some of the etiquettes in the funeral of M'nong ethnic people",Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (3),pp.38-43.

3. Trieu Van Thinh (2008),"The method of"delay" in the M'nong Epics",Journal of Science of Tay Nguyen University (3),pp.44-49.

4. Trieu Van Thinh (2009), "Some issues about the law of marriage and family of M'nong ethnic people nowadays” (A survey at Dak Ndrung Commune, Daksong District, Daknong Province)",Journal of the Science of Tay Nguyen University (5),pp. 77-86.

5. Trieu Van Thinh (2010), "The system of minor characters in the M'nong Epics",Journal of the Science of Tay Nguyen University (7),pp.105-112.

6. Trieu Van Thinh (2010), "The similarities in the construction of the heroic characters in the Ede Epics and the M'nong Epics (Through comparative view)",Journal of the Science of Tay Nguyen University (7),pp.113-122.

7. Trieu Van Thinh (2012), "The image of community in the M'nong Epics",Journal of Tay Nguyen Social Sciences (6),pp.71-74.

8. Trieu Van Thinh (2013), “The environment of performing and religious functions in the M'nong Epics”,Journal of Tay Nguyen Social Sciences (11),pp.40-43.

9. Trieu Van Thinh (2014), "Identifying characteristics of the genre in the M'nong Epics (Through performing environmental aspects and functions of living),"Journal of the Science of Tay Nguyen University (11),pp.113-119.