Anthropocentrism of Ethnopedagogical Aphorisms in the North Caucasus

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2026-1/145-158

Authors

  • Zarifa Tsallagova the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology

Keywords:

ethnopedagogy, anthropocentrism, ethnocultural education, people of the North Caucasus, aphoristic genres of folklore

Abstract

The human system of perceiving, systematizing and interpreting the world is inherently anthropocentric — it defines a man as the measure of all surrounding objects. By studying the ethnopedagogical means of forming a personality, by analyzing the aphoristic maxims that accompany one’s upbringing and socialization, we can learn about the nature of ethnic education: how a child is encouraged, consoled, punished, edified, inspired. Knowledge of these patterns enables us to use the anthropologism of ethnopedagogical aphorisms in modern educational programs, considering a man in all his universal characteristics and in all spheres of activity from everyday life to diplomacy and education. It is also important to keep in mind that the anthropocentrism of folk aphorisms can be expressed not only explicitly, but also implicitly: no matter what an aphorism talks about (flora, fauna, natural phenomena, etc.), ultimately, through comparison, metaphor, synecdoche and other poetic and artistic means, it talks about man.

Author Biography

  • Zarifa Tsallagova, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology

    Tsallagova, Zarifa B. — Doctor of Sciences in Education, Professor, Leading Researcher, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: sozieva@mail.ru 

    For citation: Tsallagova, Z. B. 2026. Anthropocentrism of Ethnopedagogical Aphorisms in the North Caucasus. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik Antropologii) 1: 145–158.

    Funding: The article was carried out within the framework of the research project: “General Civil and Ethnocultural Values ​​in the Education of Russian Youth: Finding a Balance” (within the framework of the Scientific Research Program related to the study of the ethnocultural diversity of Russian society and aimed at strengthening Russian identity, 2023–2025); “Peoples of the North and South Caucasus: Civilizational and Ethnocultural Interactions”.

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Published

13.03.2026

Issue

No. 1 (2026): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

Caucasian Studies