Ksenia Konchieva, About the Tsagan Aav and the Ritual of Gal Tyalgn
Duration: 10 mins 26 secs
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| Description: |
Ksenia talks about the ritual of gal tyalgn:
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| Created: | 2015-06-20 19:00 |
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| Collection: | Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Project (CLAN RITUALS) |
| Publisher: | University of Cambridge |
| Copyright: | University of Cambridge |
| Language: | xal (Kalmyk; Oirat) |
| Distribution: |
World
(downloadable)
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| Explicit content: | No |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 |
| Screencast: | No |
| Bumper: | UCS Default |
| Trailer: | UCS Default |
| Abstract: | Tsagan Aav is the Master of the Universe. When people perform the ritual of gal tyalgn they always mention his name. It is particularly good to do this ritual in May when the ‘bamb’ grass grows. This ritual is done with a wish so that people become as numerous and united as the roots of this plant and the livestock as plentiful as this species of grass.
When I lived in Lagan, we held this ritual every year. For this ritual one needs a white sheep with a yellow muzzle and yellow ears. The sheep is put on a white cloth on the ground and slaughtered by cutting open its belly so that all the blood stays inside the belly and does not spill on the ground. During the ritual, three types of bones are burned on a fire: the sternum, nine ribs on the side of the heart, and the tubular bone of the back right leg that has the ankle bone still attached. Since sheep stand firmly on their right leg, it is the right leg that is used for this ritual in this way. Blood, the lower jaw of the skull, the tongue and the heart are put into a special bag. In total there are seven such bags that contain different parts of the sheep. The fire consists of six wooden boards, sprinkled with grass that have nice smell. When the fire is on, one should put the following parts on top of each other: the ribs, the sternum, and the tubular bone with an ankle bone. Candles are put on four sides of the fire. Oil, milk, and other offerings are then poured on top of the fire. Someone holds a tray with cooked meat, and sways it clock-wise, uttering well wishes. It is believed that the steam from the hot meat reaches our ancestors and Tsagan Aav. After that the tray is held near the altar so that the ancestors bestowed blessing on their descendants. The sheep’s head is put on the altar and the sacrum bone is given to a monk. Afterwards, people give their three nephews or grandchildren on their maternal side a piece of cooked meat and white coins. The meat is cut into pieces and distributed among all the participants in the ritual of gal tyalgn. The next day following the ritual, the parents eat the head of the sheep that has been left on the altar in their house. The ears are given to children so that they become obedient. The lips are given to the mother so that she kisses her children more often. The eyes and the brain are consumed by men so that they become smarter and vigilant. The empty skull is then filled with butter and fat and put into a fire on the outside. Gal tyalgn brings happiness to the household that has performed it. This ritual is similar to the rituals of gazr tyaklgn and us tyaklgn. |
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