Shamans of Tuva

Urban shamanism: Tradition and Modernity.

With the split of Soviet Union spiritual and religious practices used to arise in former Soviet Republics. New forms of traditional practices appeared to be, forms never existed before. Today practicing shamans in Tuva are organised into several competitive societies. They are officially registered to the State as religious organisations, they pay taxes, have they own office, secretary and staff. One of the most interesting and marginal societies between them - "Adyg Eeren"

("Spirit of Bear") - is located to the former medical clinic of the capital of Republic Tuva- Kyzyl. The chief of the society, shaman named Adyg-Tulush Kara-ool Dopchun-oglu, is one of the descendors of an ancient tuvinian clan of bear. Among others the only russian shaman in Tuva Dmitry Markov is practicing to Adyg- Eeren. This story covers a number of events: ritual for the solar eclipse, ritual for calling of spirits at Kaa-Hem (Valley of Ancestors) at Maly Enisey River, healing of German tourist, healing of French anthropologist Laetitia Merli. Also ritual of "car-purifying", shamans playing chess, working meeting of the group and issuing a "card of shaman", medical examinating of shamans by doctors of the city clinic.