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The native people who live at Baikal
The native people who live at Baikal
People who live at Baikal?
People who live at Baikal?
The Buryats are one of the main indigenous groups here in Siberia. Closely related to their Mongolian neighbours, local Buryats are renowned for their hospitality and generosity. Their musical and other cultural traditions are quite rich, and often reflect a deeply spiritual nature.
There are two main "tribes" of Buryats in our region: Western Buryats, who live throughout Irkutsk province; and their Eastern counterparts, who settled down to form the Republic of Buryatia. The religion and culture of the Western group mostly centered around shamanism. The Eastern Buryats, on the other hand, have been adherents to the Tibetan branch of Buddhism.
The word "Buryat" is a Mongolian word derived from the root "bulyat" meaning hunter or a man of the forest. The Buryats have lived in this region for many centuries. They have branches around Baikal, as well as further east, in the Chita region of Russia. They even extend into the Hulun-Buir District that is located within Inner Mongolia, in the People's Republic of China. In all there are about 690,000 Buryats living in northern Asia.
There are two main "tribes" of Buryats in our region: Western Buryats, who live throughout Irkutsk province; and their Eastern counterparts, who settled down to form the Republic of Buryatia. The religion and culture of the Western group mostly centered around shamanism. The Eastern Buryats, on the other hand, have been adherents to the Tibetan branch of Buddhism.
The word "Buryat" is a Mongolian word derived from the root "bulyat" meaning hunter or a man of the forest. The Buryats have lived in this region for many centuries. They have branches around Baikal, as well as further east, in the Chita region of Russia. They even extend into the Hulun-Buir District that is located within Inner Mongolia, in the People's Republic of China. In all there are about 690,000 Buryats living in northern Asia.
The Buryats are one of the main indigenous groups here in Siberia. Closely related to their Mongolian neighbours, local Buryats are renowned for their hospitality and generosity. Their musical and other cultural traditions are quite rich, and often reflect a deeply spiritual nature.
There are two main "tribes" of Buryats in our region: Western Buryats, who live throughout Irkutsk province; and their Eastern counterparts, who settled down to form the Republic of Buryatia. The religion and culture of the Western group mostly centered around shamanism. The Eastern Buryats, on the other hand, have been adherents to the Tibetan branch of Buddhism.
The word "Buryat" is a Mongolian word derived from the root "bulyat" meaning hunter or a man of the forest. The Buryats have lived in this region for many centuries. They have branches around Baikal, as well as further east, in the Chita region of Russia. They even extend into the Hulun-Buir District that is located within Inner Mongolia, in the People's Republic of China. In all there are about 690,000 Buryats living in northern Asia.
There are two main "tribes" of Buryats in our region: Western Buryats, who live throughout Irkutsk province; and their Eastern counterparts, who settled down to form the Republic of Buryatia. The religion and culture of the Western group mostly centered around shamanism. The Eastern Buryats, on the other hand, have been adherents to the Tibetan branch of Buddhism.
The word "Buryat" is a Mongolian word derived from the root "bulyat" meaning hunter or a man of the forest. The Buryats have lived in this region for many centuries. They have branches around Baikal, as well as further east, in the Chita region of Russia. They even extend into the Hulun-Buir District that is located within Inner Mongolia, in the People's Republic of China. In all there are about 690,000 Buryats living in northern Asia.
Did you know that…..?
Did you know that…..?
- The Buryat language has been dying out, and is now listed in the UNESCO Red List of Endangered Languages of the world. Yet in the capital city of Ulan-Ude, and in many outlying villages, the Buryat language is now being taught widely, starting as early as kindergarten. Many older students also choose the option of learning in Buryat. And adults are seeking out special online courses or classes in village centers, to help them relearn their native tongue.
- Over the centuries Buryat peoples were known as superb hunters. Even though very few of them hunt today, their cuisine is very much based on meat, as well as dairy products. The local sour cream and cottage cheeses are particularly flavourful. If you just follow the locals and go down to the open markets, you should ask for a taste of the local cheeses—you won't regret it! (Note: if you are vegan or vegetarian you will want to let your tour guides know in advance. Many of our delicacies, such as the dumplings that we call "Buzy"—or other local noodle dishes—can be easily made with vegetables only.)
- The Buryats firmly believe that, by preserving a healthy natural environment at Baikal, they can guarantee the well-being of everyone who lives in the region. In their eyes, if you bring harm to the natural world, you are also harming yourself. In fact, in earlier times, anyone caught desecrating or damaging any part of the environment would be subjected to severe punishment.
- In Buryatia, as in China, the new year is associated with the first hint of spring. The re-awakening of nature is seen as the coming of a new year. Buryats honour the first white month of the year (known as Sagaalgan) by greeting it with pure thoughts, and by consuming white-coloured food. So the local meals during this time will all feature milk and other dairy products. Once again there will be plenty of cottage cheese, sour cream, local feta cheese, and a kefir-like drink called Kurunga, which is made out of heated fermented milk.
- Lake Baikal has always been considered as a truly sacred sea for local Buryats. Local culture frowns upon the mistreatment of the lake. You are supposed to treat the lake with respect, and not even raise your voice, argue, or use rude words while visiting the lake.
- The historical center of local shamanistic culture at Baikal is on Olkhon Island, particularly in the sacred village of Khuzhir over to Cape Burkhan (which is named after the chief god of the Buryats known as Burkhan). As you may know, believers in shamanism thought that every tree or rock—or every stream or pond or lake—has its own blessed spirit.
- The Buryat language has been dying out, and is now listed in the UNESCO Red List of Endangered Languages of the world. Yet in the capital city of Ulan-Ude, and in many outlying villages, the Buryat language is now being taught widely, starting as early as kindergarten. Many older students also choose the option of learning in Buryat. And adults are seeking out special online courses or classes in village centers, to help them relearn their native tongue.
- Over the centuries Buryat peoples were known as superb hunters. Even though very few of them hunt today, their cuisine is very much based on meat, as well as dairy products. The local sour cream and cottage cheeses are particularly flavourful. If you just follow the locals and go down to the open markets, you should ask for a taste of the local cheeses—you won't regret it! (Note: if you are vegan or vegetarian you will want to let your tour guides know in advance. Many of our delicacies, such as the dumplings that we call "Buzy"—or other local noodle dishes—can be easily made with vegetables only.)
- The Buryats firmly believe that, by preserving a healthy natural environment at Baikal, they can guarantee the well-being of everyone who lives in the region. In their eyes, if you bring harm to the natural world, you are also harming yourself. In fact, in earlier times, anyone caught desecrating or damaging any part of the environment would be subjected to severe punishment.
- In Buryatia, as in China, the new year is associated with the first hint of spring. The re-awakening of nature is seen as the coming of a new year. Buryats honour the first white month of the year (known as Sagaalgan) by greeting it with pure thoughts, and by consuming white-coloured food. So the local meals during this time will all feature milk and other dairy products. Once again there will be plenty of cottage cheese, sour cream, local feta cheese, and a kefir-like drink called Kurunga, which is made out of heated fermented milk.
- Lake Baikal has always been considered as a truly sacred sea for local Buryats. Local culture frowns upon the mistreatment of the lake. You are supposed to treat the lake with respect, and not even raise your voice, argue, or use rude words while visiting the lake.
- The historical center of local shamanistic culture at Baikal is on Olkhon Island, particularly in the sacred village of Khuzhir over to Cape Burkhan (which is named after the chief god of the Buryats known as Burkhan). As you may know, believers in shamanism thought that every tree or rock—or every stream or pond or lake—has its own blessed spirit.
Two Buryat families with their wives and children. End of the XIX century
A hunter in a traditional costume. Transbaikalia, Khorin Buryats. ХХ century
Who else lives at Baikal?
Who else lives at Baikal?
- Many centuries ago Kurykan herders settled into the Barguzin and Tunkinskaya Valleys around Lake Baikal. As horsemen and renowned blacksmiths, the Kurikans and their culture were influenced heavily by the Mongols to the south. Many think that the present-day Buryats have an original ancestry of Mongolian blood mixed with these ancient Kurikan.
- The Evenki people have been living on the shores of Baikal from time immemorial. As a nomadic group they would often roam inland, down the mighty Angara and Lena Rivers. They would move from one site to another in search of game for hunting. Each time they would pack up their belongings and their light-weight dwellings (made of deer-skin and supporting poles), load everything onto their reindeer, and head out to the next hunting ground. In the present day there are around 77,000 Evenki settled down in Irkutsk and in the nearby provinces of Yakutia and Krasnoyarsk.
- Another semi-nomadic people were known as the Tofalars. Their native lands are now mostly restricted to the northeastern slopes of the Sayan Mountains. Historically skilled hunters, the Tofalars are known to be expert in using local herbs to treat diseases. Their favourite drink is green tea with lots of salt! There are only 800 Tofalars left in Russia today, making it one of the smaller native groups in our country.
- Many centuries ago Kurykan herders settled into the Barguzin and Tunkinskaya Valleys around Lake Baikal. As horsemen and renowned blacksmiths, the Kurikans and their culture were influenced heavily by the Mongols to the south. Many think that the present-day Buryats have an original ancestry of Mongolian blood mixed with these ancient Kurikan.
- The Evenki people have been living on the shores of Baikal from time immemorial. As a nomadic group they would often roam inland, down the mighty Angara and Lena Rivers. They would move from one site to another in search of game for hunting. Each time they would pack up their belongings and their light-weight dwellings (made of deer-skin and supporting poles), load everything onto their reindeer, and head out to the next hunting ground. In the present day there are around 77,000 Evenki settled down in Irkutsk and in the nearby provinces of Yakutia and Krasnoyarsk.
- Another semi-nomadic people were known as the Tofalars. Their native lands are now mostly restricted to the northeastern slopes of the Sayan Mountains. Historically skilled hunters, the Tofalars are known to be expert in using local herbs to treat diseases. Their favourite drink is green tea with lots of salt! There are only 800 Tofalars left in Russia today, making it one of the smaller native groups in our country.
Buryatia. The magical side of Lake Baikal
Medegma Dorzhieva Basaganaj duun