communism, shamans, and belly dancing!
-35°F
Light Snow
Feels Like
-55°
(Weather.com)
A while ago I went to Lenin square to celebrate the October revolution, that's the one with those communists. It was at least negative ten degrees outside with a steady wind which is not pleasant in a cold climate, but there were many people who came to the event despite the weather. Beneath the gigantic statue lovingly referred to as "grandfather Lenin" were a group of people reciting speeches that were originally given during the revolution and their voices were very enthusiastic coming out of the large speakers. The crowd cheered at every pause while waving their Russian flags and also flags with Che Guevara, Lenin, and Stalin. It was an enlightening glimpse into a very divided culture that despite its varying beliefs, all are pessimistic about the future. So, this one time was a rare gathering of unity where everyone felt nostalgic and prideful with someone to look to for hope.
Also, I was visited by a lady shaman at my house. Since Yakutsk is a pagan town they often perform rituals passed from hundreds of years ago. So, my "mother" had this shaman come to rid the house and our bodies of evil spirits. The sahman lady began the ceremony by using a horses tail to cast the evil spirits out of our bodies and then she rang a small bell to kill them. Then, she started a fire in the kitchen and sacraficed a scoop of butter and horse hair to the fire god. The smoke that rises from this fire is supposed to ward off evil spirits. This was also the first time I realized that there aren't any fire alarms in the building. Finally, the shaman lady ended her performance with the biggest surprise. She had a small wooden flask that she filled with milk and made the whole family chant with their arms in the air around it. Suddenly, she started throwing the milk all around the house while ringing the bell and dusting the furniture with her horses tail. I was especially nervous during this part. I think I have found a true religion though.
Lastly, I'll mention the bell dancing extravaganza on Saturday night. There are lots of pictures.
Light Snow
Feels Like
-55°
(Weather.com)
A while ago I went to Lenin square to celebrate the October revolution, that's the one with those communists. It was at least negative ten degrees outside with a steady wind which is not pleasant in a cold climate, but there were many people who came to the event despite the weather. Beneath the gigantic statue lovingly referred to as "grandfather Lenin" were a group of people reciting speeches that were originally given during the revolution and their voices were very enthusiastic coming out of the large speakers. The crowd cheered at every pause while waving their Russian flags and also flags with Che Guevara, Lenin, and Stalin. It was an enlightening glimpse into a very divided culture that despite its varying beliefs, all are pessimistic about the future. So, this one time was a rare gathering of unity where everyone felt nostalgic and prideful with someone to look to for hope.
Also, I was visited by a lady shaman at my house. Since Yakutsk is a pagan town they often perform rituals passed from hundreds of years ago. So, my "mother" had this shaman come to rid the house and our bodies of evil spirits. The sahman lady began the ceremony by using a horses tail to cast the evil spirits out of our bodies and then she rang a small bell to kill them. Then, she started a fire in the kitchen and sacraficed a scoop of butter and horse hair to the fire god. The smoke that rises from this fire is supposed to ward off evil spirits. This was also the first time I realized that there aren't any fire alarms in the building. Finally, the shaman lady ended her performance with the biggest surprise. She had a small wooden flask that she filled with milk and made the whole family chant with their arms in the air around it. Suddenly, she started throwing the milk all around the house while ringing the bell and dusting the furniture with her horses tail. I was especially nervous during this part. I think I have found a true religion though.
Lastly, I'll mention the bell dancing extravaganza on Saturday night. There are lots of pictures.