Syncretism of Paganism and Orthodoxy in the Mari and Udmurt Cultures: Confessional markers in the natural landscape

Abstract

For Russia as a multinational country, with a rich history and traditions, as well as a specific way of life, the topic of double faith is still relevant to this day. The subject of the study is the confessional markers of dual faith in the Mari and Udmurt cultures in modern settlements of the southern districts of the Kirov region. The aim of the work is to analyze the representation and visualization of the syncretism of paganism and Orthodoxy in the Mari and Udmurt cultures through confessional markers in the natural landscape of the southern districts of the Kirov region. The empirical basis of the research is the materials of the 2017-2023 expeditions to the Kizmez and Malmyzhsky districts of the Kirov region, where Mari and Udmurts live, who are third and fourth most numerous population of the Kirov region. Based on the methods of analyzing the features of religious and ethno-cultural interactions of these peoples and analyzing sacred objects inscribed in the natural landscape, the authors used methods of historical and cultural comparison and analysis of textual materials. New objects of the sacred natural landscape have been identified among the Mari and Udmurts, in which there is a deification of nature. It manifests itself in such confessional markers as sacred groves and fields where pagan deities, spirits of the forest were worshipped. In addition, the sacred meaning was carried by the sanctuaries of heroes and places associated with the souls of the dead, inscribed in the natural landscape of the area. The novelty of the research consists in clarifying the specifics of some rituals, supplementing information about the beliefs of the Udmurts and Mari, introducing new objects of the sacred cultural landscape into scientific circulation, which is designated as the intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of the Vyatka Region. The authors come to the conclusion that some fragments of pagan beliefs and rituals among the Mari and Udmurts still exist and are closely connected with the natural landscape and memories of places of worship, the historical memory of the people. At the same time, Orthodoxy has taken deep roots and strong roots in the hearts of these peoples. But the historical and comparative study of religious beliefs and rituals shows that the original syncretism of Orthodoxy and paganism of the Mari and Udmurts of the southern districts of the Kirov region serve as a means of ethnic identification in the formation of the sacred cultural and natural landscape.