A Tree in the Sacred Space of the Udmurts and its Protection

Abstract

The article deals with the issue of sacralization of the tree image in the pre-Christian views of the Udmurts, the indigenous Finno-Ugric people, occupying the territory between the Kama and Vyatka rivers (the Republic of Udmurtia). The typology of objects of worship made of wood or its component parts is given. The following types are identified: temples, dedicated to the masters of Wild Nature, sacred groves, Kuala, ritual objects, lonely standing trees. The issue of protection of the revealed cult objects is considered: some of them have the status of cultural heritage sites as attractive places and monuments of archaeology, others form museum collections and are in state ownership, another part keeps a cult role and is under the control of prayer participants, who maintain the safety of the site with systems of restrictions and taboos. The use of some images as tourist and art objects is also noted.

Keywords

• cultural heritage sites
• protection
• tree cult
• prayers
• the udmurts
• sacred groves
• pre-christian beliefs
• cultural monument