Tuva will “shamanize” tourists: domestic tourism has been entrusted to local clergy

Local shamans will now lure tourists to the Republic of Tuva using ancient rituals – this is reported in the Office of the Supreme Shaman of Russia. Judging by the fact that the International Academy of Shamanism is also scheduled to open in this subject of the Russian Federation in the near future, the regional authorities are not against it. But the shamans themselves, including students of the Tuvan school, are not sure that leaving tourism in the hands of shamans is a safe idea.

We learned first-hand how you can “shame” guests and what dangers lie in this.

“We will tell the history of shamanism, show rituals and fortune telling,” promises a representative of the department of the Supreme Shaman of Russia. – All this will be in an accessible language to interest tourists in our region.

And the International Academy of Shamanism, opening in Tuva this year, promises not only to teach those wishing to comprehend the basics of ancient esoteric knowledge, but also to conduct “career guidance” through excursions to places of power and master classes for guests of the shamanic educational institution. Judging by the responses, “mere mortal” Russians are showing interest in such an undertaking, but hereditary shamans, whose traditions and knowledge are passed down not in an educational institution, but from generation to generation in the family, warn that such “trade” in shamanic power can anger the spirits , which have given shamans strength since ancient times. They remind you that it is, of course, possible to skillfully lure guests into your home. But only a “shamed” guest is not a good guest. And he does not bring good to a house where he came not voluntarily, but as a result of manipulation. And it is unlikely that it will be possible to teach shamanism to a person who does not have the appropriate heredity. While shamanism as a complex of ancient knowledge is not a toy and is not joked about. And spirits do not tolerate abuse of shamanic power.

This is how MK explained its position to Mengi, a shaman of heavenly origin (in the world of Claudius Bolonin):

– I think it’s worth starting with the fact that Tuva is not only incredibly beautiful and diverse, but also one of the most criminal regions of Russia, and organizing tourism is a labor-intensive process and involves responsibility for the lives of tourists. Here it is also important to understand the specifics of Tuva: it became part of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War, and its natives moved from the feudal system directly to “developed socialism”, and then to the capitalism of the new Russia, skipping the intermediate stages of social development. This determines certain features of the mentality of local residents; the majority of the “natives” of Tuva have a completely different perception of both society and the world as a whole than the residents of the megacities of the European part of Russia. This can create conflicts and communication problems.

– Well, apparently, this is what they want to “solve” by communicating in the ancient language of shamanism?

– The idea of ​​“shamanic tourism” is interesting, but I’m afraid it’s difficult to implement. Firstly, there is no single canon that would explain what shamanism is. Nowadays, in our country, both actual clergy and lovers of various “psychedelic sabbaths” are equally called shamans. In the common consciousness, a shaman is on the same level as sorcerers and psychics; people who are far from the topic confuse religion and esotericism. All this can lead to confusion: lovers of “microdosing” who flock to Tuva in anticipation of such “feasts of the spirit” risk a painful encounter with the Tuvan reality.

– What if they come to learn the basics, listening to the true ministers of the cult?

– To become a shaman, it is not enough to buy a tambourine and go to Kyzyl.

– Do you want to say that it is impossible to teach shamanism?

– Shamanism is the oldest form of religion, its study, like any other, is available to everyone. Now there are courses, books and other aids available to everyone. Having studied them, anyone can use shamanic practices and shamanic philosophy in their life, but at the same time they do not become a shaman. He remains an ordinary person with knowledge of shamanism, and one must be born a shaman. And this is not a privilege; the ancestral shaman is first and foremost a servant of his cult. He cannot get tired and change his profession, like, say, a doctor, teacher or scientist. A shaman is forever, but at the same time he is not a superman; his life also has ordinary life, difficulties, and needs. Many who underestimate this responsibility to the Spirits want to become shamans, without really understanding the meaning of shamanic activity.

And even those who simply decide to gain knowledge of the “basics of shamanism”, to become “shamanists,” as we call them among themselves, also have a certain responsibility before the ancient Spirits. Even they must have a natural predisposition to such activity, and mental characteristics, and not just desire. So turning academy students into shamans is a troublesome and dubious matter. Working with people is difficult in itself, but there are also specifics.

– Are there rituals of “shamanization” to the house that you can teach our readers right now?

– Certainly. In Mongolia, Buryatia and Tuva they give “khadak” – this is a special sacred scarf passed from the youngest to the eldest in the family, the so-called “household connection”. There is also a special type of greeting that gives support and a feeling of home: the younger one extends his hands forward, palms up, and the older one puts his hands on top, palms down. Thus, the younger gives strength to the elder, and the elder blesses him.

In shamanic regions, it is customary to brew Khan-tea – this is tea with milk and salt, it “bewitches” guests. Only the ladle used to pour tea from the pot should not remain in it, otherwise there will be no guests. Shamans, and after them shamanists, actively use the “grain of happiness” – these are sacred cereals mixed with beads and aromatic herbs. There is an ancient recipe and proportions of the mixture. Grain is scattered inside and outside the house to attract happiness, prosperity and, of course, guests.