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Humanitarian sciences in Siberia

2016 year, number

CHALBACH TOS - THE EMBODIMENT OF THE SPIRIT OF FIRE IN THE TRADITIONAL RITUAL PRACTICE OF KHAKASSES (LATE XIX - MID-XX CENTURY)

V.A. Burnakov
Novosibirsk National State University, 2, Pirogova str., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
Keywords: хакасы, традиция, мировоззрение, культ огня, фетиш, Чалбах тoс, обряды, nation, tradition, worldview, cult of fire, fetish, Chalbach tos, ceremonies

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study the cult of fire of Khakasses in its material manifestation such as a fetish of Chalbach tös. To achieve this goal the author sets and solves the following tasks: defining its sacred significance and its role in the worldview and ritual practices of the Khakass people; analysis of its external characteristics; revealing variations of its symbolic design and considering the ways of ritual interaction with this sacred object. The chronological scope of work covers the period from the late XIX to the mid-XX centuries. Selection of temporal boundaries of the study is determined first of all by the status of the source base related to the topic of the study. The main sources are archival and ethnographic materials. The work is based on a comprehensive, systemic-historical approach to the study of the past. Research methodology is based on historical and ethnographic methods - scientific description, specific historical method and relic. In the worldview and ritual practices of the Khakasses considerable attention is given to the cult of fire. In traditional consciousness, the fire is endowed with protective and patronizing functions. It was believed that the fire possessed the properties of purification, healing, etc. The image of the spirit of fire has found its vivid expression in the fetish of Chalbach tös. All major sacred qualities of this supernatural creature transferred to the ritual object. A special system of rites was formed in connection to it. This idol was perceived as one of the most important tribal family spirits-patrons. There was a wide-spread belief that the people’s health, well-being and economic success to a large extent depended on its benevolence.