The Mari are a Finno-Ugric people who believe in spirits. Many are interested in what religion the Maris belong to, but in fact they cannot be defined as Christianity or the Muslim faith, because they have their own idea of God. This people believe in spirits, trees are sacred to them, and Ovda replaces the devil. Their religion implies that our world originated on another planet, where a duck laid two eggs. They hatched good and evil brothers. They are the ones who created life on Earth. The 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 laid several eggs. So this people appeared, judging by their beliefs. It is worth noting that to this day they do not recognize the worldwide names of the constellations, naming the stars in their own way. According to legend, the bird flew from the constellation Pleiades, and, for example, Ursa Major they call Elk.
Sacred Groves
Kusoto is a sacred grove, which is so revered by the Mari. Religion implies that people should on nationwideprayers to bring purlyk to the groves. These are sacrificial birds, geese or ducks. To conduct this ceremony, each family must choose the most beautiful and he althy bird, because a Mari priest will check it for suitability for the ceremony. If the bird is fit, then they ask for forgiveness, after which they light it with smoke. In this way, the people express their respect for the spirit of fire, which cleanses the space of negativity.
It is in the forest that all 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 on purpose, they have been there for 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 usually divided into tribal, rural and general. Moreover, in some you can pray several times a year, while in others - only once every seven years. There is a great energy force in Kusoto, the Mari believe. Religion forbids them to swear, make noise or sing while in the forest, because according to their faith, nature is the embodiment of God on Earth.
Fight for Kusoto
For many centuries they tried to cut down the groves, and the Mari people for many years defended the right to preserve the forest. At first, Christians wanted to destroy them, imposing their faith, then the Soviet government tried to deprive the Mari of sacred places. To save the forests, the Mari people had to formally accept the Orthodox faith. They attended churchdefended the service and secretly went into the forest to worship their gods. This led to the fact that many Christian customs became part of the Mari faith.
Legends about Ovda
According to the legend, once upon a time a stubborn Mari woman lived on Earth, and one day she angered the gods. For this, she was turned into Ovda - a terrible creature with large breasts, black hair and twisted legs. People avoided her, as she often caused damage, cursing entire villages. Although she could help too. In the old days, she was often seen: she lives in caves, on the outskirts of the forest. Until now, the Mari people think so. The religion of this people is based on natural forces, and it is believed that Ovda is the original bearer of divine energy, capable of bringing both good and evil.
There are interesting megaliths in the forest, very similar to blocks of man-made origin. According to legend, it was Ovda who built a defense around her caves so that people would not disturb her. Science suggests that the ancient Mari defended themselves from enemies with their help, but they could not process and install stones on their own. Therefore, this area is very attractive to psychics and magicians, because it is believed that this is a place of powerful power. Sometimes all the peoples living nearby visit it. Despite how close the Mordvins, Maris and Udmurts live, their religion is different, and they cannot be attributed to the same group. Many of their legends are similar, but that's all.
Mari bagpipe - Shuvyr
Shuvyr is considered a real magical instrument of the Mari. This unique bagpipe is made from cowhide. Bladder. First, for two weeks it is prepared with porridge and s alt, and only then, when the bladder becomes limp, a tube and a horn are attached to it. The Mari believe that each element of the instrument is endowed with a special power. A musician using it can understand what birds are singing and animals are talking about. Listening to this folk instrument, people fall into a trance. Sometimes with the help of shuvyra people are healed. The Mari believe that the music of this bagpipe is the key to the gates of the spirit world.
Honoring the departed ancestors
Mari don't go to cemeteries, they invite the dead to visit every Thursday. Previously, no identifying marks were placed on the graves of the Mari, but now they simply 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 souls live well in heaven, but the living believe that their deceased relatives are very homesick. And if the living do not remember their ancestors, then their souls will become evil and begin to harm people.
Each family sets up a separate table for the dead and sets it up as for the living. Everything that is prepared on the table should also stand for invisible guests. All treats after dinner are given to pets to eat. This ritual also represents a petition for help from the ancestors, the whole family at the table discusses problems and asks for help in finding their solution. After a meal for the dead, a bath is heated, and only after a while the owners themselves go there. It is believed that one cannot sleep until all the villagers see their guests through.
Mari Bear – Mask
There is a legend that in ancient times a hunter named Mask angered the god Yumo with his behavior. He did not listen to the advice of his elders, he killed animals for fun, and he himself was distinguished by cunning and cruelty. For this, God punished him by turning him into a bear. The hunter repented and asked for mercy, 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 pays special attention to bees. According to ancient legends, it is believed that these insects were the last to come to Earth, having arrived here from another Galaxy. Mari's laws imply that each kart should have his own apiary, where he will receive propolis, honey, wax and perga.
Signs with bread
Every year the Mari grind some flour by hand to make the first loaf. During its preparation, the hostess should whisper good wishes on the dough for everyone she plans to treat with a treat. Considering what kind of religion the Mari have, it is worth paying special attention to this rich treat. When someone in the family goes on a long journey, they bake special bread. According to legend, it must be put on the table and not removed until the travelers return home. Almost all the rituals of the Mari people are connected with bread, so every housewife, at least for the holidays, bakes it herself.
Kugeche - Mari Easter
Mari people use stoves not for heating, but for cooking. Once a year, pancakes and pies with porridge are baked in every house. itthey do it for a holiday called Kugeche, it is dedicated to the renewal of nature, and it is also customary to commemorate the dead on it. Every home should have homemade candles made by the cards and their helpers. The wax of these candles is filled with the power of nature and, during melting, enhances the effect of prayers, the Mari believe. It is difficult to answer which faith the religion of this people belongs to, but, for example, Kugeche always coincides in time with Easter, celebrated by Christians. Several centuries have blurred the lines between the faith of the Mari and Christians.
Celebrations usually last for several days. The combination of pancakes, cottage cheese and loaf for the Mari means a symbol of the triplicity of the world. Also on this holiday, every woman should drink beer or kvass from a special fertility ladle. They also eat colored eggs, it is believed that the higher the owner breaks it against the wall, the better the chickens will rush in the right places.
Rites in Kusoto
All people who want to unite with nature gather in the forest. Before the prayer, the cards are lit by homemade candles. You can not sing and make noise in the groves, the harp is the only musical instrument allowed here. Rites of purification with sound are performed, for this they strike with a knife on an ax. The Mari also believe that a breath of wind in the air will cleanse them of evil and allow them to connect with pure cosmic energy. The prayers themselves do not last long. After them, part of the food is sent to the fires so that the gods enjoy the treats. The smoke of campfires is also considered cleansing. And the rest of the food is distributed to people. Some take food home to treat those who can't.come.
The Mari people really appreciate nature, so the next day the cards come to the place where the ceremonies are held and clean up everything. After that, no one from five to seven years old can enter the grove. This is necessary so that she restores energy and can saturate people with her during the next prayers. This is the religion that the Mari profess, during its existence it began to resemble other faiths, but nevertheless, many rituals and legends have remained unchanged since ancient times. This is a very unique and amazing people, devoted to their religious laws.
