Ritual ribbons and flags in the practical activities of contemporary Tuvans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.4.24Keywords:
Tuva; Tuvans; shamanism; Tuvan Buddhism; ritual ribbon; ritual scarf; Buddhist flag; consecration; ovaa; chalama; kadak; wind horse; ethnocultural neotraditionalismAbstract
The article analyzes the patterns of distribution of ritual ribbons and flags (chalama, kadak, tuk) in the sociocultural life of contemporary Tuva. The work is based on the materials collected by the authors in different parts of the Republic in 2012–2023. We consider the issues of terminology related ritual ribbons, flags and the origins of the tradition of their tying and use. It is emphasized that chalama have an ancient origin and are associated with the primordial shamanistic religion of the region. Kadaktar and tuktar are cultural borrowings, but the history of their spread in Tuvan rituals is already quite long, so they are considered as Tuvan traditional ones.
The topic of the distribution of ritual ribbons is considered in accordance with the typology of the objects on which they are tied and presented. These are places of shamanic worship and cults; consecrated animals; Buddhist facilities; non-religious objects; as well as people to whom kadaks are handed. The authors show the scale of the occurrence of ritual ribbons in the sociocultural life of the Tuvans, the explosive growth in demand for ribbons and flags. This has led to an increase in their sales and availability for the population. We provide some opinions of the surveyed Tuvans of different ages regarding the essence of the tying rituals and highlight the issues of educating the people, their ignorance in the basics of ritual practices and behavior in sacred places. All these lead to environmental problems.
In general, tying of ritual ribbons and flags is described as a manifestation of ethnocultural neotraditionalism.
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For citation:
Lamazhaa Ch. K., Sanchai, Ch. Kh. and Mongush A. V. Ritual’nye lenty i flagi v praktike sovremennykh tuvintsev [Ritual ribbons and flags in the practical activities of contemporary Tuvans]. New Research of Tuva, 2023, no. 4, pp. 344-370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25178/nit.2023.4.24
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Author Biographies
Chimiza K. Lamazhaa, Independent researcher
Doctor of Philosophy, independent researcher, Russian Federation.
E-mail: lamazhaa@tuva.asia
Choigan Kh. Sanchai, Tuvan State University
Candidate of Cultorology, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Ethnology and Linguoculturology, Tuvan State University.
Postal address: Office 107, 9/B, Mongush Sat St., 667000 Kyzyl, Russian Federation.
E-mail: choykasanchai@mail.ru
Aylaana V. Mongush, Tuvan State University
Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Ethnology and Linguoculturology, Tuvan State University.
Postal address: 36, Lenin St., 667000 Kyzyl, Russian Federation.
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