Larisa Shoglyaeva, About Clan Rituals and the Hill of Kermen Tolga

Larisa talks about the ritual of gal tyalgn that was performed on a hill called Ova Kermen in the village of Orgakin in Iki-Burul'sky rayon of Kalmykia. The hill was named after a girl called Kermen who was buried there. The ritual was carried out in the autumn with the participation of all clans that live in the village. The kind of food offered to deities during the ritual included dairy products, candies, vodka and Kalmyk biscuits. It was only men who went to the top of the hill to lay out stones, read prayers and utter well-wishes. Women stayed at the bottom of the hill. The ritual was completed by all the participants, both men and women, who formed a circle and held each other's hands uttering khuree. Afterwards the participants threw wheat and rice grains on the ground symbolising an increase in the number of livestock and wellbeing for all the clans involved. Larisa contends that clan rituals not only unite people but are also effective. Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin