Facilities and things in the sacrifices of the Voguls / Mansi (Translated from the German by N.V. Lukina)

Objective: introduction to the scientific circulation of valuable sources on the cultural heritage of Mansi. Sources: a part of the twentieth chapter of the book “Materials on the mythology of the Voguls”, containing records of A. Kannisto of 1901-1906. Field materials of the collector were prepared for printing and publishing in German by E.A. Virtanen and M. Liimola. The method of systematization is used. A sample of the materials Kannisto information about the relevant objects and their thematic grouping. The publication is a part of the twentieth chapter of the book “Materials on the mythology of the Voguls”, containing records of A. Kannisto of 1901-1906. Field materials of the collector were prepared for printing and publishing in German by E.A. Virtanen and M. Liimola. (Materialien zur Mythologie der Wogulen. Gesammelt von Artturi Kannisto; bearbeitet und herausgegeben von E.A. Virtanen und Matti Liimola (SUST. Vol. 113). Helsinki, 1958. 443 S.). The article presents information on different groups of people: Pelym, Vagil, Lozva, Tavda, Konda, Upper Sosva. Descriptions of the material series are accompanied by appropriate extracts from myths and legends. Structures on sacred places under the open sky are for sacrifice for high spirits and gods: Numi-Torum 'Supreme God', Mirsusneχum 'World-Gazing-Man', tapalds 'Father-tapal' etc. It includes a table, poles with crossbars for offerings and spears for meat. There is a platform with trees behind the house. Here people hung gifts and frames for transportation of a bear. The sacrificial trees are growing sacred trees of different species with the device for the money on their trunks. They are designed for everyone and land around was sacred. The offerings are for βitjalpη, βitjelpi 'water shrine', Numi-Torum 'Supreme God' and his son. There is a barn for storing of figures of the spirits (pupiγ) and the sacrificed items which is taboo for women. Sometimes it is at home and in the woods. Later they were replaced by birch bark baskets (paip). A chest for offerings (ulam tδtap) was stored on a shelf (pdηklala) near the rear wall of the dwelling; figures of some patron spirits also were stored there. When people moved, they took a small sacrificial box or a bag with them. The use of sacrificed items was limited. Clothes from the sacred barn were worn by the performers at the Bear Holiday. Some gifts were given to a keeper of the guardian spirit. Damaged items were used for household needs or thrown away. The skins could be sold, the money could be borrowed. The types of material offerings of a basket with gifts (βdrimulam tδtap) were: clothes, swords and arrows, knife, fur, “saddle” of World-Gazing-Man, pieces of cloth, ribbons and scarves, the strings of beads, rings, coins, bells, vodka, etc. Separate categories are the figures of animals and spirits. Summary. The Cannisto materials are fairly complete with the devices, vaults, and things that were used by the mansi in carrying out the sacrifices.

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