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The Mari are often called the "last pagans of Europe". Despite the adoption of Christianity, this Finno-Ugric people has preserved ancient traditions to this day, dating back centuries.
The Mari religion is characterized by the veneration of natural forces, so here you can still find rituals dedicated to the spirits of fire, earth and water. In Mari El, there are more than 300 sacred groves (kÿsoto), where sacraments are held. It is believed that deities live in Kÿsoto, so it is strictly forbidden to cut down trees, litter, swear, or even think about anything bad.
In the fall, Kÿsoto hosts prayers that attract people from all over the region. Each time, the priest, Kart, chooses the grove for the ritual. Participants in the ceremony bring geese and ducks as offerings to the deities.
The prayers begin with rhythmic drum beats to drive away evil spirits. Kart fumigates the sacrificial bird with smoke, dedicating it to the spirit of fire. After the prayers, the geese and ducks are boiled in large cauldrons, traditional three-layer koman-melna pancakes are baked, and a festive meal is held. The remaining food is taken with them or burned.
In many Mari villages in the spring, on the night of May 6, a ritual of exorcism (Surem uzho) takes place. The ritual is timed to coincide with the beginning of grazing and is intended to protect animals from diseases.
The villagers gather around a large fire and jump over the fire. Then they light torches and start going around all the yards, trying to make as much noise as possible – ringing bells, rattling metal utensils, etc. It is believed that this should scare away evil spirits.
In each house, the procession is greeted with treats. The ceremony lasts all night, and at the end, everyone gathers around the fire for a common feast. Some of the food is certainly buried in the ground as a gift to the deities who helped drive out evil spirits.
Many Mari folk holidays are closely intertwined with the Orthodox calendar, while retaining their national flavor and identity. For example, Shorykyol is a ritual holiday associated with family well-being, fertility and prosperity in the home - originally began on the day of the winter solstice (December 22). Now the first day of the holiday coincides with Christmas, and the following days - with the Christmas week. The integral attributes of Shorykyol are fortune telling, fortune telling and merry mummers, which also makes the holiday related to Christmastide.
Uyarnya is the Mari equivalent of Maslenitsa, which is celebrated in late February – early March and marks the beginning of spring. The main idea of the holiday is connected with ancient agricultural cults: the awakening of nature should bring a rich harvest, ensure prosperity and protect from evil forces.
A lot of hearty food is prepared on Uyarnya using dairy products and butter: pancakes, pies, cheesecakes. The main entertainment is sledding, and in the past women used various household items for this, for example, spinning wheels, or rye sheaves - it was believed that this contributes to a good harvest. At the end of the holiday week, the accumulated garbage is collected and burned with the words "Uyarnya kaen!" ("Maslenitsa is gone!").
You can stay during your trip to the amazing Mari El Republic at the new AZIMUT Hotel Yoshkar-Ola in the very center of the Mari capital. The convenient location of the hotel will make it easy to plan a trip to the most interesting places in the city and the region.
