Culture and religious beliefs of the peoples of the Altai republic

Gorny Altai traditionally characterized by a unique ethno-cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. Here we observe a bizarre form of synthesis Orthodox, Buddhist, Muslim and pagan religious and cultural traditions. Russian population is mostly Orthodox, Muslim Kazakhs, Altaians is not homogeneous in their religion. Some still adhere to shamanism - traditional national religion of Siberia, the Far East and the North. It originated in ancient times as a form of social consciousness of the primitive era and it is based on the embodiment of nature and its forces. Part of the Altaians consider themselves followers Burkhanism (Tibetan branch of Buddhism). A significant part of the Altai population, beginning with the first quarter of the XIX century, became Orthodox. Is the focus of religious denominations became possible because the Altaians is at the crossroads of civilizations, and each left their mark on the neighborhood of or influential in the philosophical foundations of the indigenous people of this land. The end of XX - XXI centuries marked by a revival of religious communities - Orthodox, traditional Altai (shaman, Burkhanist, Buddhist), Muslim and non-traditional - the spiritual and environmental (Roerich movement, "Tengriism"), Protestant, etc. However, in the revival and development of certain religious denominations, covering different national groups of the Altai Republic, there are differences. First of all, we should note the relatively rapid recovery and development of the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities. The first is predominantly Russians and partly Altaians (old and new "baptism"). For the Soviet and post-Soviet orthodoxy, like other religions, although it has undergone some changes, but has kept the church organization (including at the regional level), religious education (Theological Academy, seminars) and religious sites (temples). A Burkhanism ("ak jang") and shamanism, in the same period, have undergone serious transformation. In the years of repression (1930.) Formed part Burkhanist priests (sudurchi, yarlykchi) was nearly destroyed along with their sutras and other religious objects. Only a tiny fraction of religious objects preserved in a family heirloom and museum stores (Gorno-Altai, St. Petersburg, etc.). Therefore followers Burkhanism have to revive their religion on the basis of the knowledge preserved in the oral form of the older generation, the modern media of sacred spiritual knowledge, as well as in the published scientific and popular literature. In general, at this stage we are seeing a resurgence of religious and cultural traditions. However, in general religiosity (religious faith) in the majority of the population believing occurs mainly at the elementary (literal) level, which is a synthesis of religious images, disparate ideas and concepts expressed in the traditions and customs. Hence the perception of most of its believers Altai traditional religion as "Altai (the white) faith." Religious experience (ideals, values and norms) of the believer, regardless of religious affiliation, is largely determined by its relation to society, including the family and marriage. However, the forms of expression of religious experience, in turn, are strongly influenced by social factors, particularly local ethnic traditions, norms and customs. And, of course, a variety of modern interrelig-ious interactions in the Altai Republic requires further study.

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