Music and Time Annotation << Back Transformation of the Mythology of Archaic in the Adyghe Magico-Medical Rite of Chapsh: the Emergence of New Meanings and Symbols in Smallpox Conspiracy Songs A.V. Gucheva The article examines the archaic music of the Circassians (Adyghes) as a specifi c way of thinking and worldview, as a special system cultural symbols and signs. The article explores the archaic music of the as a specifi c way of thinking and worldview, as a special system of cultural symbols and signs of the musical picture of the Circassians (Adyghes) world. In the course of the analysis of archaic music as the verbal language of the Adyghe magic-medical rite of chapsh, it was established that it acts a primary cultural symbol, sign and text of the myth, acquiring a new mythological version. The purpose of the study is to provide an opportunity to look into myth as a wonderful world of deities, full of greatness and beauty, hidden in the words and sounds of archaic music. The deep meaning of the words and sounds of smallpox spell songs as cultural symbols and signs of myth, as well as their combination, which indicates a special creative force capable of giving birth to «new» images and internal meanings of tradition characteristic of the «illusory» mythological mode as a mysterious action of myth, is considered, where the «imaginary» identifi cation of man with the forces of nature and the world of deities is «transmitted» and catalyzed. Keywords: Circassians, Adyghes, archaic music, smallpox conspiracy song, sign, symbol, image, motive. DOI: 10.25791/music.6.2024.1304 Pp. 19-28.