Authored by, Master Himala Pahadi
Shamanism, an Ancient Path in Siberia
Shamanism, born in the heart of Siberia, has woven itself into the cultural fabric of Russia for centuries. In the vast landscapes of this remote region, where the icy winds howl and the spirits whisper, the practice of shamanism persists, refusing to succumb to the challenges of modernization. Two regions, in particular, stand as bastions of this ancient tradition: the mystical Lake Baikal area of southern Siberia near the Mongolian border and the untamed middle Volga regions.
At the Shaman's Posts
Venturing into these remote parts of Siberia, one encounters the solemn beauty of pine-plank temples, known as shaman's posts. These sacred sites serve as a conduit between the earthly and spiritual realms, where offerings are left to appease the spirits. Money, tea, and cigarettes are reverently placed, for those who pass by without leaving an offering risk offending the very spirits they seek to honor.
Unveiling the Shamanic World
Shamanism in Russia is a diverse tapestry, with distinct sects and traditions. Buryat Shamanism, infused with Buddhist influences, thrives east of Lake Baikal. To the west, shamanism takes on a more Russified form. The Mari and Udmurt people, hailing from the middle Volga region, proudly carry the torch of shamanistic practices.
The Soulful Beliefs of Shamans
Central to the shamanistic worldview is the belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings. Shamans understand that humans and animals possess souls that are bound for reincarnation. The Mongol shamans, for instance, hold that humans possess three souls, while animals possess two. To neglect the reverence owed to the spirits of animals invites dire consequences upon one's own soul. Hence, prayers of reverence are offered for animals that have been taken for sustenance.
A Fusion of Faiths
In the vast expanses of Siberia and Mongolia, shamanism intertwines with local Buddhist traditions, creating a mesmerizing blend of spiritual practices. Zorigtbaatar Banzar, a Mongolian shaman, founded the Center for Shamanism and Eternal Heavenly Sophistication, seeking to unite shamanism with the world's major faiths. In his teachings, he reveals that Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad employed shamanic methods, unbeknownst to the masses.
Guardians of the Spirit Realm
The role of the Siberian shaman transcends mere mortal existence. These revered figures have long served as spiritual guides, healers, and protectors within their communities. They possess the power to heal the sick, solve problems, fend off malevolent spirits, make prophetic predictions, and guide departed souls to the afterlife. Animals, natural objects, heroes, and clan leaders form the heart of the shamanic cults that shape the lives of Siberia's indigenous people. In the annals of history, the shaman has stood as the paramount religious figure and healer.
The Inheritance of Shamanic Powers
The mantle of shamanistic power is passed down through generations or bestowed by spontaneous vocation during initiation ceremonies. These rites, often accompanied by ecstatic deaths, rebirths, visions, or other profound experiences, serve as a conduit for the transmission of spiritual abilities. Dressed in costumes adorned with antlers, Siberian shamans channel their powers through the rhythmic beat of a drum or tambourine, transporting themselves to an era when humanity communed directly with the gods.
The Enchanting Drum
A Siberian shaman's arsenal is incomplete without the rhythmic cadence of the drum. This sacred tool summons the spirits, providing solace and protection to the shaman. Crafted from wood or bark obtained from revered trees and adorned with the skins of horses or reindeer that once traversed otherworldly realms, the drum acts as both a conduit and a shield against the forces of the underworld. Its hypnotic beats assist the shaman in entering the trance-like state essential to their spiritual journey.
Under the Shadow of Soviet Rule
The rise of Soviet power cast a dark pall over shamanism. Suppressed and derided, shamans were portrayed as avaricious charlatans, leading to exile, imprisonment, and even execution. The Soviet era saw the dwindling of genuine shamans, leaving only a select few to carry on the ancient traditions.
Rituals That Transcend Reality
In the days of old, Siberian shamans mesmerized onlookers with their mesmerizing dances and uncanny animal imitations. Witnesses would find themselves falling into trances and embarking on their own hallucinatory journeys. A typical Siberian shamanic dance unfolds in three phases: an introduction, a middle section, and a climactic trance where the shaman, consumed by ecstatic fervor, unleashes a frenzied assault upon their drum or tambourine.
Journeying Beyond the Mundane
Legend speaks of Siberian shamans who partake in hallucinogenic mushrooms to unlock the gates to otherworldly realms. These revered plants and fungi are regarded as spiritual teachers, their consumption embodying communion with the essence of the spirits themselves.
The Hunt and the Sacred
In the tapestry of Siberian rituals, hunting holds a revered place. Rituals dedicated to specific animals, such as bears, ravens, wolves, and whales, ensure successful hunts. By honoring and offering tribute to the spirits associated with these creatures, Siberians seek harmony and bounty. The dance of the shaman often mirrors or pays homage to the animal, while a tinge of sorrow hangs in the air, acknowledging the sacrifice of life.
Death's Mysteries and Rituals
Across the Arctic and Siberia, profound beliefs shroud the mysteries of death. It is here that notions of shadow souls and breath souls, two manifestations of the human essence, emerge. The shadow soul may depart the body during sleep or unconsciousness, taking flight in the form of a bee or a butterfly. The breath soul, the very sustainer of life, dwells within humans and animals alike, residing within the bones, blood, and vital organs. Hence, the bones of the departed are treated with utmost reverence, holding the promise of new life.
Guiding the Departed
As the breath soul takes its final leave through the nostrils, Siberian groups seal the mouth and nostrils of the deceased, shielding against the return of the departed essence, which may haunt the living as a vampire-like entity. The shadow soul lingers for several days, and a flickering fire accompanies the remains, honoring the dead, warding off the malevolent spirits that lurk in the darkness, and guiding the soul on its ethereal path.
A Feast for the Departed
Three days after death, a grand feast commemorates the departed. Wooden images or dolls, meticulously crafted to embody the essence of the deceased, receive food and a place of honor. For a time, these effigies are treated as the departed themselves. In some instances, they rest in the beds once occupied by the deceased's spouses.
Sacred Offerings for the Beyond
Graves become repositories of cherished items, treasures that will accompany the deceased on their journey to the next life. The nature of these items varies among different groups, each selecting artifacts best suited for the afterlife. To prevent the deceased from returning to the realm of the living, totems are defaced or destroyed, rendering them powerless in their support of the dead. Some graves are adorned as cradles, embodying the notion of a rebirth in the great cycle of existence.
Buryatia's Resilient Shamanism
The Buryats, the largest indigenous group in Siberia, are nomadic herders of Mongolian heritage. Their shamanistic practices bear traces of Tibetan Buddhism, intermingled with pagan influences. Buryat shamans, who maintain day jobs in fields like farming, construction, or engineering, preserve their ancestral ties through an unbroken chain of priests spanning centuries.
During the Soviet era, the iron grip of repression sought to silence shamanism's timeless voice. But in 1989, a Buryat shaman resurrected a long-dormant ceremony, donning grotesque masks not seen in half a century. Buryat shamans employ trances as a means to communicate with deities and ancestral spirits, treading the paths of healing and harmony.
Chukchi's Spirit in the Wilderness
The Chukchi, who traditionally tend reindeer on the tundra and dwell in coastal settlements along the Bering Sea and polar regions, intertwine shamanism with the spheres of hunting and family cults. They attribute illness and misfortune to otherworldly entities known as "kelet," who stalk humans, feeding on their flesh.
Chukchi shamans partake in festivals and small rituals, wielding drums, batons, and various objects of divination. Their dances transport them into profound trances, revealing hidden realms and untold wisdom.
Nanai's Connection to the Spirit Tree
Deep in the Khabarovsk Territory and Promotye Territory of the Russian Far East, the Nanai people find solace in their shamanism. Adorned in ceremonial costumes adorned with symbols and sacred objects, Nanai shamans draw strength from their spiritual beliefs and ancestral traditions.
The Nanai shaman embarks on a cosmic journey, ascending a celestial tree to reach the dwelling place of spirits. Their drums, said to be fashioned from the tree's branches and bark, resonate with the essence of the upper realms. It is here, among the boughs, that the souls of unborn children find their resting place.
Selkup's Song of the Birds
The Selkup people, traditional hunters and fishermen, embrace two distinct forms of shamanism—the light tent and the dark tent. Regardless of their chosen path, Selkup shamans must be adept storytellers and singers, crafting a new song each year for the Arrival of the Birds festival.
In the realm of Selkup shamanism, tales unfold, melodies resound, and rituals find expression, binding the community to its ancient roots.
In the Heart of Shamanism
Siberia and Russia bear witness to the enduring saga of shamanism. Across the ages, these spiritual guides and healers, the shamans, have bridged the realms of the human and the divine, bestowing guidance, healing, and protection upon their communities. Despite the relentless march of modernization and the shadow cast by Soviet repression, the unyielding spirit of shamanistic practices persists, a testament to the enduring power of an ancient tradition.
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