Localization of devotional articles within the home of the kalmyks
Abstract
The article examines the sacral zones of the traditional and modern homes of the Kalmyks, their attributes and related beliefs. According to the mindset of the Kalmyks, the spaces inside and outside the home are separate worlds opposed to one another. The internal space was stabilized using articles of sacral significance. The central place within the Kalmyk traditional nomadic home was occupied by the altar, but next to it some sacred articles of pre-Buddhist practices would be placed. Nowadays the altar zone containing certain ritual articles as well reflects the blending of pre-Buddhist and Buddhist beliefs. For example, ritual activities using the oelgtse (also kept in the altar zone) — which is a set of polysemantic ritual articles of sacral significance — get most actual during wedding ceremonies.
About the Author
T. Sharaeva
Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS (Elista)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ph.D. in History (Candidate of Historical Sciences), Research Associate, Department of Ethnology
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Review
For citations:
Sharaeva T. Localization of devotional articles within the home of the kalmyks. Mongolian Studies. 2016;8(2):47-55. (In Russ.)
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