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KHANTY SACRIFICE RITUAL // Tomsk Journal of Linguistics and Anthropology. 2013. Issue 2 (2). P. 106-114

The paper reviews the analysis of the key aspects of Khanty sacrifice ritual (exemplified by Yugan Khanty group). 1) Addressees of the sacrifice: general deities (Katl’ ‘Sun’, Myx Anki ‘Mother Earth’, etc.); local deities (Jagun Iki ‘Oldman of Yugan-river’, Evut Imi ‘Devine Oldwoman’, etc.); home deity lunk. 2) The subjects making the sacrifice: ritual initiator; actors (masters of ceremony, leading actors, general actors, passive attendees); special role is played by the keeper of the deity. 3) Depending on the category of deity, the ritual is can be held: at any location, in the wood, near the water, at the vicinity of a particular settlement, at the sacred place of the deity, inside the sacred shed (ambarchik), inside the dwelling, etc. 4) The timing of the sacrifice ritual depends on the category of the deity, on the lunar cycle, on the life circumstances, other factors. 5) Types of sacrifice ritual: treatment - Pory; sacrifice of animals – Jir; giving of the objects. 6) Sacrificial treats. During the sacrificial treatments of the deities Pory, regular food and wine is offered. During the Jir, the meat of the sacrificial animal is boiled. Gifts to the deities include: clothes, scarfs, coins, garments for the deities, etc. 7) Actions: placing of the gifts at the location of the ritual; sacrifice of the animal; addresses to the deities; nods and turns following the Sun; partaking of the food and drinks. The analysis is based on the field data collected by the author in 1970s – 1980s. The paper closes with the sketch description of the exemplar ritual.

Keywords: Khanty, sacrifice ritual, key aspects, exemplar ritual