Shamans

Shamans of Yakutia: Talking to the Spirits

The official science defines shamanism as a range of ideas regarding communication with the other world, primarily with the spirits. Shamanism is associated with magic, animism, fetishism and totemism. Its features can be found in various religious and folk rituals.

Shamanism occurred in abundance not only among the peoples of Siberia or the Far East but also in South-East Asia, Africa and North America. In other words, it can be found among most nations of the Earth in one form or another.

The name of this form of religion comes from the Evenki, where 'shaman' or 'saman' means 'an emotionally excited, frenzied man'.

We are used to perceive shamanism ironically, as a relic of the past and a symbol of almost medieval backwardness. Meanwhile, it turns out that it had grown from ancient traditional medicine and played a significant role in the shaping of common beliefs of the Far North peoples. In fact, shamanism is still exerting its influence on their culture.

In some regions of Russia shamanism is an officially recognized religion. It exists on a par with Buddhism in the Republic of Tuva. Tuvinians even say that these religions are like two wings that lift the man over his mortality. Local ancient traditions are still very strong in Yakutia as well.

Vital force and the three worlds

Yakut (Sakha) ancient religion was being replaced by Christianity already in

the years of tzarist Russia, since the region's accession in the XVII century. Christian-ization took place peacefully and gradually and by the second half of the XVIII century the most part of the Yakuts were converted into Orthodoxy. However, shamanism still remained as a belief. In Soviet times affiliation to any religious cult was penal and therefore shamans and adepts of other faiths had to conceal themselves. Having in mind those times, many shamans still prefer to call themselves 'folk healers'.

Yakut lifestyle has always strongly depended on the environmental conditions. This fact also had an impact on their religious concept of elements which are subject to the will of powerful gods. Perhaps that is why Christian propagation was not so convincing to the Sakha people to renounce their beliefs and voluntarily adopt another faith. It was difficult for the Yakuts to accept that the God is one and it does not need to be 'coaxed' with gifts.

'The assertion of the unity of nature and man's spiritual world is very important for the Sakha people. The term 'kut', which is usually translated as 'soul' is central to their religion. But 'kut' does not correspond to the Christian idea of a soul; more likely, it's closer to the concept of 'vital force'.

The locals are still revering shamans assuming that they are endowed with special supernatural powers. The Yakuts