Agrarian Festivals of the Spring-Summer Cycle in the Contemporary Culture and Sociopolitical Life of the Besermyan

Abstract

The article analyzes contemporary cultural processes related to the introduction of traditional agrarian celebrations and rites in the sphere of sociopolitical life in the last two decades. Analysis focuses on the korban [Qorban] ritual, conducted by the Society of the Besermyan People, based in the Republic of Udmurtia. Korban sacrifice ritual and prayers are considered to be ethnically significant, associated with agricultural cults and spring-summer festivals of the folk calendar, and also to have acquired a social-political character. Primary attention is given to transformation of tradition and adaptation to the current realities and challenges. The article is based on long-term field data.