Mari: religion to what kind of faith?

Mari are Finno-Ugric people, who believe in spirits. Many are interested in what kind of religion the Mari are, but in fact they can not be identified with Christianity or the Muslim faith, because they have their own idea of God. This people believes in spirits, trees are sacred to them, and the devil replaces Ovda. Their religion implies that our world was born on another planet, where it carried two duck eggs. Of them hatched a good and evil brothers. They created life on Earth. Mari perform unique rituals, respect the gods of nature, and their faith is one of the most unchanged since ancient times.

History of the Mari people

According to legend, the history of this people began on another planet. A duck, living in the constellation of the Nest, flew to Earth and carried several eggs. So this people appeared, judging by their beliefs. It is worth noting that they still do not recognize the world names of constellations, calling the stars in their own way. According to legend, the bird flew from the constellation Pleiades, and, for example, the Big Dipper is called Losem.

Sacred Groves

Kusoto is a sacred grove, which the Marians so revere. Religion implies that people should bring national poultices to national groves. These are sacrificial birds, geese or ducks. To conduct this rite, each family should choose the most beautiful and healthy bird, because it will check for validity for the rite of the cards the Mari priest. If the bird is suitable, then it is asked for forgiveness, after which it is carried out with smoke. Thus, the people express their respect for the spirit of fire, clearing the space of the negative.

It is in the forest that all the Mari pray. The religion of this people is built on unity with nature, so they believe that by touching the trees and making sacrifices, they create a direct connection with God. The groves themselves were not planted specially, they have been there since a long time. According to legend, even the ancient ancestors of this people chose them for prayers, based on how the sun, comets and stars are located. All groves are divided into generic, village and general. And in some you can pray several times a year, and in others - only once in seven years. A large energy force is in Kusoto, the Mari believe. Religion prohibits them from swearing, making noise or singing while in the forest, because according to their faith nature is the embodiment of God on Earth.

The struggle for Kusoto

For many centuries the groves have been trying to cut down, and the Mari people for many years defended the right to preserve the forest. Initially, they wanted to destroy the Christians, imposing their faith, then the Soviet authorities tried to deprive the Mari of sacred places. To save the forests, the people of Mary had to formally accept the Orthodox faith. They visited the church, defended the service and secretly went to the forest to worship their gods. This led to the fact that many Christian customs became part of the faith of the Mari.

Traditions about Ovda

According to legend, once upon a time there lived a stubborn Marika on Earth, and one day she angered the gods. For this, she was turned into an Ovda - a terrible creature, with large breasts, black hair and twisted legs. People avoided it, because it often caused damage, cursing whole villages. Although she could also help. In the old days she was often seen: she lives in caves, on the outskirts of the forest. Until now, the Mari believe so. The religion of this people is built on natural forces, and it is believed that Ovda is the original bearer of divine energy, capable of bringing both good and evil.

In the forest there are interesting megaliths, very similar to blocks of man-made origin. According to legend, this Ovda built a defense around its caves, so that people do not bother her. Science suggests that the ancient Mari with their help defended themselves from enemies, but they could not independently process and install the stones. Therefore, this area is very attracted to psychics and magicians, because it is believed that this place is a powerful force. Sometimes all the people living nearby visit it. Despite how close the Mordvins, Mari and Udmurts live, they have a different religion , and they can not be classified as one group. Many legends are similar, but only.

Mariinskaya bagpipe - shuvyr

Shuvyr is considered a real magical instrument of the Mari. This unique bagpipe is made from a cow's bladder. First two weeks it is prepared with the help of porridge and salt and only then, when the bubble is softened, a tube and a horn are attached to it. The Mari believe that each element of the instrument is endowed with special power. A musician who uses it can understand what the birds are singing about and the animals talking about. Listening to the game on this folk instrument, people fall into a trance. Sometimes with the help of a shivira people are healed. The Mari believe that the music of this bagpipe is the key to the gates of the spirit world.

Veneration of the departed ancestors

The Mari do not go to the cemeteries, they call the deceased every Thursday. Earlier on the graves of Mari they did not put identification marks, now they just install wooden decks, where they write the names of the deceased. The religion of the Mari in Russia is very similar to the Christian one in that the souls live well in the sky, but the living believe that their deceased relatives are very homesick. And if the living will not remember their ancestors, their souls will become evil and begin to harm people.

Each family sets up a separate table for the dead and covers it, as for the living. Everything that is cooked on the table should stand for invisible guests. All after dinner meals are given to be eaten by the pet. This ritual is also an application of ancestors for help, the whole family at the table discusses the problems and asks for help in finding their solution. After a meal for the dead, they heat the sauna, and only after a time the owners go there. It is believed that you can not sleep until all the villagers have held their guests.

Mari Bear - Mask

There is a legend that in ancient times a hunter named Mask aroused God Yumo by his behavior. He did not listen to the advice of elders, he killed animals for fun, and he was distinguished by cunning and cruelty. For this, God punished him, turning him into a bear. The hunter repented and asked to be pardoned, but Yumo ordered him to keep order in the forest. And if he does it properly, then in the next life he will become a man.

Beekeeping

The religion of the ancient Mari gives special attention to bees. According to ancient legends, it is believed that these insects were the last to land on Earth, having flown here from another Galaxy. Marie's laws imply that each card must have its apiary, where it will receive propolis, honey, wax and pergue.

Signs with bread

Every year, the Mari grind a bit of flour by hand to prepare the first loaf. During its preparation, the hostess should whisper good wishes on the dough for everyone who plans to treat with delicacy. Considering which religion the Mari people have, it is worth paying special attention to this delicious food. When someone in the family goes on a long journey, bake special bread. According to legends, it should be put on the table and not cleaned, until the travelers return home. Virtually all ceremonies of the Mari people are connected with bread, so every housewife, at least for the holidays, but bakes it herself.

Kugece - Mari Easter

Mari people use stoves not for heating, but in order to cook food. Once a year, pancakes and pies with porridge are baked in every house. It is done for a holiday under the name of Kugeche, it is devoted to the renewal of nature, and it is customary to commemorate the deceased. In each house there must be homemade candles made by cards and their assistants. The wax of these candles is filled with the power of nature and during the melting intensifies the effect of prayers, the Mari believe. What kind of faith does the religion of this people relate to, it is difficult to answer, but, for example, Kugeche always coincides in time with Easter, celebrated by Christians. Several centuries have erased the line between the faith of the Mari and Christians.

Celebrations usually last for several days. The combination of pancakes, cottage cheese and a loaf for Mari means a symbol of the triplicity of the world. Also on this holiday every woman should drink from a special bucket of fertility beer or kvass. Also, they eat colored eggs, it is believed that the higher the master breaks it against the wall, the better the chickens will be carried in the right places.

Rituals in Kusoto

All people who want to unite with nature gather in the forest. Before the prayer cards are lit homemade candles. You can not sing and make noise in groves, the harp is the only musical instrument allowed here. Performing the rituals of purification by sound, for this they hit with a knife on the ax. Also, the Mari believe that the whiff of wind in the air will clear them from evil and will allow them to connect with pure cosmic energy. The prayers themselves do not last long. After them, some of the food is sent to the bonfires, so that the gods will enjoy the food. Smoke fires are also considered to be cleansing. And the rest of the food is distributed to people. Some take food home to treat those who could not come.

Mari people appreciate nature very much, so the next day the cards come to the place of rituals and remove everything behind them. After that, in a grove you can not go to anyone from five to seven years. It is necessary for her to restore energy and be able to saturate her people during the following prayers. This is the religion practiced by the Mari, during its existence it began to resemble other faiths, but still many rites and legends have remained unchanged since ancient times. This is a very unique and amazing people, devoted to their religious laws.