Mound Chinderta, the Cremation Site of the Last Kalmyk Khan: a Place of Worship and Treatment of Epizootic Diseases

Abstract

The article examines folk beliefs of the Kalmyks about somewhat sacral nature of the place where Donduk Dashi (popularly referred to as Balvatin Khan), the last Khan of the Kalmyks, was cremated in 1761; it narrates about presumed magic properties of the area which reportedly can cure livestock from epizootic diseases.

Keywords

• kalmyks
• traditional beliefs
• mound chinderta
• khan donduk dashi
• sacral place
• earth and water
• epizootic diseases
• treatment of cattle