Khongor Bryugidikov, About Clan Rituals

Abstract

Khongor relays a story about how he participated in a ritual of gal tyalgn (fire ritual). When three members of his clan died in a short space of time, a lama advised that the family members perform a fire ritual. The ritual was conducted by a lama in the house of Khongor’s paternal relative which belonged to Khongor’s grandfather. The offerings used during the ritual consisted of a sacrificial sheep that was killed by a traditional method without spilling its blood on the ground. Before the ritual the sheep was consecrated with milk from head to tail and prayers were read for its successful rebirth. The sheep’s chest, intestines, and its head were put on the fire. Prayers were read during the whole duration of the ritual. The women were sitting behind the men. Afterwards, the remaining meat was cooked by women and all participants ate it. The ritual started at 7 am and finished at around 5 pm. Khongor also talks about a ritual of offering milk to the masters of waters that his grandmother, who was a folk healer, performed on Volga. This ritual was done with the purpose of securing good harvest and bringing health to people. His grandmother read prayers and poured milk into the river.