In Siberia, in the Republic of Buryatia, there is a place known as Lake Baikal, one of the world's deepest freshwater reservoirs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Irina Tanglenova, a shaman, and her fellow believers gather here on Lake Baikal's sacred mountain, Burkhan. They come to perform age-old rituals, and this place is considered the heart of the Buryat culture.
Lake Baikal is regarded as their holy lake, a source of strength, and a place where they connect with their gods and spirits. Up to a hundred shamans, like Irina, gather here because they believe that thirteen spirits, known as Hottas, reside in this area. They come to experience the power and presence of these spirits.
Irina takes us to an international shaman conference where indigenous Siberian peoples perform rituals and customs, invoking spirits. They believe that spirits descend to Earth and illuminate through the birch trees, so they touch the birch branches to connect with the universe.
The village of Burkhan, once a Soviet fishing community, has transformed into a tourist destination, primarily attracting visitors from Russia and Asia.
Irina prepares offerings for the spirits, including milk, a mixture of biscuits, chocolates, and gingerbread, a candle, and a symbolic bundle called "sulha." These offerings are believed to bring luck and prosperity. They also leave money and cigarettes for the spirits.
As the afternoon progresses, the shamans prepare for the trance-inducing rituals. They dance among the birch trees, aiming to invite spirits into their bodies. Irina believes the spirit of the late Renta resides within her, and she sings with her grandmother's voice, who blessed her as a shaman.
After the ceremony, the birches are burnt, and the ash is considered to bring health and happiness. The evening concludes with a washing ritual, where participants are washed with water that the lamb was cooked in, a practice intended to expel evil from their bodies.
Shamanism is one of the oldest religious traditions in Siberia, and the culture is very much alive on Lake Baikal's sacred islands, preserving ancient spiritual practices and a deep connection to the natural world.
Lake Baikal, located in the Republic of Buryatia in Siberia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sacred place for indigenous rituals and shamanistic practices.
Irina Tanglenova, a shaman, and her fellow believers gather at Burkhan Mountain on Lake Baikal to connect with spirits, gods, and their cultural heritage.
The lake is considered holy, and it is believed to be a source of strength, where spirits, particularly the thirteen Hottas, are thought to reside.
The village of Burkhan has transitioned from a Soviet fishing community to a tourist destination, attracting visitors primarily from Russia and Asia.
Shamanic rituals, offerings, and practices, such as dances among birch trees and washing rituals, play a crucial role in these spiritual ceremonies, preserving ancient traditions and a deep connection to nature.
