May 18

Through My Eyes

Sunday May 18

" The shaman's robe described above is found with little variation in style throughout Mongolia and Siberia. Some shamans use a somewhat abbreviated version of the robe called a dudig in Mongolian. It lacks arms and is made from one piece of hide with a hole in the center for the head and long flaps hanging down the front and back with strings tied on the sides to secure it. The edges of the dudig are fringed , and the bells, pendants and snake tassels are attached to it just as on the shaman robe. Some shamans favor this variation of the shaman robe because it can be easily rolled up and stuffed inside the drum between performances.

The headdress has two basic forms , the feathered bonnet and the iron headband with antlers. They are both referred to in Mongolian as amidai, "living thing" for they are believed to house spirits. The feathered headdress usually uses eagle feathers, although some Tuvan shamans will use a raven-feather headdress for lower-world journeys. These headdresses greatly resemble Native American feather bonnets and are adorned with beadwork and bunches of conical bells. The beadwork or embroidery often depicts a face on the font of the headdress, the eyes, nose , mouth , and ears representing the senses of the spirits that come into the shaman. The Tungus, as well as many Buryat clans, use the antlered headband headdress. Real or iron antlers are attached to an iron ring that is also adorned with conical bells. This headband is usually worn on top of an embroidered skullcap. Both types of headdresses often have a long fringe in front that covers much of the shaman's face, which partly obstructs the shamans's vision but also aids in concentration. However, this detail is actually not really significant because shamans often have their eyes closed while in ecstasy.

Special shaman boots made of caribou hide are also part of some costumes. These may be adorned with fringe and conical bells. Significantly, the two boots are often made according to different patterns; this is a reflection of how the shaman is different from other people, especially at the time when the boots are being worn." I promise to add more tomorrow...

Through my eyes

* courtesy of Sarangerel in her book Riding Windhorses


	Through My Eyes Sunday May 18 " The shaman's robe described above is found with little variation in style throughout Mongolia and Siberia. Some shamans use a somewhat abbreviated version of the robe called a dudig in Mongolian. It lacks arms and is made from one piece of hide with a hole in the center for the head and long flaps hanging down the front and back with strings tied on the sides to secure it. The edges of the dudig are fringed , and the bells, pendants and snake tassels are attached to it just as on the shaman robe. Some shamans favor this variation of the shaman robe because it can be easily rolled up and stuffed inside the drum between performances. The headdress has two basic forms , the feathered bonnet and the iron headband with antlers. They are both referred to in Mongolian as amidai, "living thing" for they are believed to house spirits. The feathered headdress usually uses eagle feathers, although some Tuvan shamans will use a raven-feather headdress for lower-world journeys. These headdresses greatly resemble Native American feather bonnets and are adorned with beadwork and bunches of conical bells. The beadwork or embroidery often depicts a face on the font of the headdress, the eyes, nose , mouth , and ears representing the senses of the spirits that come into the shaman. The Tungus, as well as many Buryat clans, use the antlered headband headdress. Real or iron antlers are attached to an iron ring that is also adorned with conical bells. This headband is usually worn on top of an embroidered skullcap. Both types of headdresses often have a long fringe in front that covers much of the shaman's face, which partly obstructs the shamans's vision but also aids in concentration. However, this detail is actually not really significant because shamans often have their eyes closed while in ecstasy. Special shaman boots made of caribou hide are also part of some costumes. These may be adorned with fringe and conical bells. Significantly, the two boots are often made according to different patterns; this is a reflection of how the shaman is different from other people, especially at the time when the boots are being worn." I promise to add more tomorrow... Through my eyes * courtesy of Sarangerel in her book Riding Windhorses