A study of works on the origins of tobacco and warnings about tobacco
https://doi.org/10.53315/2782-3377-2026-6-2-63-74
Abstract
This article introduces, for the first time in Mongolian studies, works devoted to the origins of tobacco and its harmful effects. It begins with an overview of the history of recording, publishing, and researching Kalmyk legends about tobacco.
Stories about the origins of tobacco are widespread in global oral traditions, where its creation is often attributed to demonic forces. In Mongolian culture, attitudes toward tobacco are ambivalent: on the one hand, it is an integral part of etiquette and rituals, symbolizing respect and hospitality; on the other, household smoking is viewed with restraint due to awareness of the health risks, which is reflected in regulations.
Mongolian folklore offers various versions of the origin of tobacco: some associate its creation with Genghis Khan, others with incest between a brother and sister. Written sources, in turn, indicate that tobacco originated from a drop of blood from an evil spirit (shulmuski). The aim of this study is a comparative examination of legends about the origins of tobacco and its harmful effects in the oral and written traditions of the Mongols. The study employs comparative and descriptive methods. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of a manuscript from private collections in the Lagan region, which is brief compared to its Tibetan original.
The results of the study demonstrate that genetically related narratives contribute to a deeper understanding of the motives and meanings of legends about tobacco and its harmful effects.
Keywords
Origin of tobacco,
harmful effects of tobacco,
Mongolian literature,
Mongolian folklore,
legends,
manuscripts,
«todo bichig»
Supporting agencies: The work was carried out within the framework of the project of the Foundation for the Promotion of Buddhist Education and Research No. 40/2026 “Buddhist manuscripts in the Oirat language in the collections of the eastern regions of Kalmykia: cataloguing, research and translation”.
About the Authors
B. Kh. Borlykova
Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Boskha Kh. Borlykova, Candidate of Philological Sciences
Elista
B. V. Menyaev
Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Badma V. Menyaev, Candidate of Philological Sciences
Elista
T. V. Basanova
Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatyana V. Basanova
Elista
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Review
For citations:
Borlykova B.Kh., Menyaev B.V., Basanova T.V. A study of works on the origins of tobacco and warnings about tobacco. Nomadic civilization: historical research. 2026;6(2):63-74. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.53315/2782-3377-2026-6-2-63-74
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