Two Rites of Purification in Bear Cult of Ob-Ugric Peoples

Kalman B. N.

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Two motives of the bear festival are considered: spraying with water and fumigation. They were described by various authors in ob-ugric peoples (the Khanty and the Mansi) and are mentioned in their bear’s song. Both rites are cleansing ceremonies which are used with respect to a bear and participants of the bear’s festival. These rites of purification are more ancient than Christianity.

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Issue: 4, 2004

Series of issue: Humanities (History, Archeology, Ethnology)

Rubric: Archaeology, Ethnology

Pages: 91 — 94

Downloads: 970