Anna Sangadzhi-Goryaeva, Gal Tyalgn

Duration: 3 mins 34 secs

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Description:	Anna says that gal tyalgn, or worship to fire, is a special ritual where a sheep is sacrificed. The following parts of a sheep are used at this ritual: a sheep’s head covered with semzh fat (a fat layer that covers internal organs), its neck, the right front leg, the liver, and kidneys. All these parts should be cooked before offering them to fire. The rest of the meat is then offered to kinsfolk who are participating in the ritual. During the ritual, guests utter well-wishes, all of which are believed to be heard by ancestors. The ritual of gal tyalgn is very complex and not every person can perform it. Anna herself performs gal tyalgn in the courtyard of her house. In the past she performed this ritual in Lagan’ as well, where her husband is originally from. On that occasion Anna was accompanied by a knowledgeable woman who organized and directed the whole ritual. Anna also talks about how she came to believe in the efficiency of this ritual, how she taught herself to count beads (a Buddhist practice) and read mantras.

Description:

Anna says that gal tyalgn, or worship to fire, is a special ritual where a sheep is sacrificed. The following parts of a sheep are used at this ritual: a sheep’s head covered with semzh fat (a fat layer that covers internal organs), its neck, the right front leg, the liver, and kidneys. All these parts should be cooked before offering them to fire. The rest of the meat is then offered to kinsfolk who are participating in the ritual. During the ritual, guests utter well-wishes, all of which are believed to be heard by ancestors. The ritual of gal tyalgn is very complex and not every person can perform it. Anna herself performs gal tyalgn in the courtyard of her house. In the past she performed this ritual in Lagan’ as well, where her husband is originally from. On that occasion Anna was accompanied by a knowledgeable woman who organized and directed the whole ritual.

Anna also talks about how she came to believe in the efficiency of this ritual, how she taught herself to count beads (a Buddhist practice) and read mantras.


Created:	2016-10-21 12:50
Collection:	Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Project (CLAN RITUALS)
Publisher:	University of Cambridge
Copyright:	University of Cambridge
Language:	xal (Kalmyk; Oirat)

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