Sangadzhi Kononov, About Gal Tyalgn

Abstract

Sangadzhi says that gal tyalgn is the most widespread ritual in Kalmykia performed during important events in the lives of the Kalmyks. It is performed during weddings when a bride leaves her paternal house for that of her husband, when people build new houses and at funerals. During gal tyalgn food offerings are made to ancestors and local spirits in order to remove obstacles, to secure the continuation of clans, etc. Sometimes offerings include sheep. Sangadzhi talks about how to prepare a sheep for this ritual, which parts of the sheep to offer and explains the symbolism behind it.