“Thing” and “symbol”: attributes of the shamanic cult of Evens as a sacred text of culture (based on materials from a scientific expedition)
Arctic XXI century July 8, 2025 DOI: 10.25587/2310-5453-2025-2-48-66 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key points | Argues that Even shamanic attributes—specifically a children's shamanic set and a ritual headdress from the Berezovsky Evens—constitute a complex semiotic system and sacred cultural texts encoding an archaic worldview. The children's set is interpreted as a miniature replica of adult ritual attire, and the headdress, featuring loon and anthropomorphic imagery, as embodying Even cosmological concepts. Shamanic terminology is said to accumulate sacred meanings tied to spirits, souls, ancestors, and protective functions. |
Abstract
The article presents a semiotic analysis of shamanic attributes and clothing of the Evens, documented during a 2024 expedition to the Srednekolymsky District of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The study focuses on a children’s shamanic set (khamasak teti kungangi) and a ritual headdress (khamasak avun) from the collection of the Berezovsky Evens. The author examines the symbolic language and sign functions of these objects, demonstrating their role as sacred cultural texts. The research reveals that the material world of shamanic cults constitutes a complex system of signs and symbols reflecting an archaic worldview. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of terminology associated with shamanic practices, which accumulates profound sacred meanings. The symbolic significance of these terms correlates with key concepts: “spirit”, “soul”, “thread”, “thought”, “ancestor”, “patron”, “totem”, “sign”, “receptacle”, “idol”, “image”, and others. An important aspect of the study is the analysis of the material culture of shamanic attributes. The children’s shamanic set, comprising a caftan, headdress, drum, and beater, is examined as an exact miniature replica of adult ritual attire. The headdress adorned with loon (ökänge) images and anthropomorphic elements (beyken) is analyzed as a complex semiotic object embodying the cosmological views of the Evens. Special emphasis is placed on investigating the technological features of shamanic attribute production, including the use of sacred materials (reindeer hair, rovduga) and specialized ornamentation techniques. The author highlights that these objects served multiple functions: as tools for communication with spirits, models of the universe, protective amulets, and vessels of traditional knowledge. The conducted analysis makes a significant contribution to the study of Even traditional culture, uncovering deep layers of their worldview and demonstrating the intricate system of symbolic codes embedded in shamanic attributes.