Thirteen Pieces of Siberian Evenk Shamanic Forged Iron Regalia Used as Amuletic Attachments
A Rare Collection of Thirteen Pieces of Siberian Evenk Shamanic Forged Iron Regalia Used as Amuletic Attachments on Ritual Costume
Comprising Three Flying Loon Birds the Shamans’ Pathfinder
Three Cone Shaped Musical Danglers One on a Long Spiral Chain
Two Discs with Attachment Rings Representative of the Moon
Five Human Effigies Two Large and Three Miniature The Shamans’ Spirit Assistants
Comprising Three Flying Loon Birds the Shamans’ Pathfinder
Three Cone Shaped Musical Danglers One on a Long Spiral Chain
Two Discs with Attachment Rings Representative of the Moon
Five Human Effigies Two Large and Three Miniature The Shamans’ Spirit Assistants
Siberian shaman of the Evenk, Yakut and Sel'kup peoples all wore body encasing costumes which were heavily ornamented with amuletic iron attachments. Decorated with iron cut outs of anthropomorphic figures the shaman’s clothing served as his armour and when in confrontation with evil spirits the iron figures acted as his army. The loon bird assisted as the shaman’s pathfinder in all three of the cosmic realms of the shamanic universe as the bird is capable of functioning underwater, on the water’s surface, and high up into the air.
In shamanic rituals it was of crucial importance that shamanic power be reflected in the dress and regalia used. An amuletic charm-laden coat was considered vital to the whole ritualised drama. Much of the ironwork found on the costume referred to both animals and humans who served as helping spirits, and when danced in the jangling noise was believed to attract friendly spirits. With all its attachments a coat could weigh up to 23 kilos, but it was believed that the mark of a true shaman was that he could handle the heavy ungainly attire easily. Serving as communicators between the earthly and spiritual realms, shaman were indispensable to their community as advisors, healers and diviners.
In shamanic rituals it was of crucial importance that shamanic power be reflected in the dress and regalia used. An amuletic charm-laden coat was considered vital to the whole ritualised drama. Much of the ironwork found on the costume referred to both animals and humans who served as helping spirits, and when danced in the jangling noise was believed to attract friendly spirits. With all its attachments a coat could weigh up to 23 kilos, but it was believed that the mark of a true shaman was that he could handle the heavy ungainly attire easily. Serving as communicators between the earthly and spiritual realms, shaman were indispensable to their community as advisors, healers and diviners.
Thirteen Pieces of Siberian Evenk Shamanic Forged Iron Regalia Used as Amuletic Attachments
