UNKNOWN DARKHANS: MASTERS’ FATES AT THE CROSSROADS OF TRADITIONS AND MODERNITY
Vladimir Sergeevich Ivanov
Вестник Восточно-Сибирского государственного института культуры March 27, 2026 DOI: 10.31443/2541-8874-2026-1-37-27-38 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Darkhan (blacksmith) masters in Ulan-Ude and Buryatia, including one professional dynasty |
| Key findings | The article reconstructs the genealogy of mastery of a professional darkhan dynasty in Buryatia and traces the evolution of the notion "darkhan" and its ties to the blacksmith cult. It argues that the craft's existence and ideology sit at the intersection of Buddhist and shamanic practices. |
Abstract
The article attempts to document the oral history and professional path of several modern darkhan masters who worked in Ulan-Ude and Buryatia at the end of the XX – beginning of the XXI centuries. On the basis of the method of partic-ipant observation and in-depth interview, the author himself as a bearer of the tra-dition, reconstructs the genealogy of mastery of one of the professional dynasties. The article analyzes the evolution of the notion «darkhan», its relationship with the blacksmith cult, and сonsiders the ideological aspects of the craft existence at the intersection of the Buddhist and shamanic practices.