Aisa Bryugidikova, About Gal Tyalgn and Clan Rituals

Aisa says that people in her family and clan perform the ritual of gal tyalgn on her grandfather’s land. It is performed once or twice a year. Last time it was done in spring. The day of the ritual is usually determined by a lama. The offerings include mutton, dairy products, sweets and biscuits. Some lamas are against including meat in offerings. The purpose of this ritual is to show respect to ancestors, to secure wellbeing of the whole clan and to remove obstacles. People who participate in these rituals are paternal relatives. Aisa’s paternal aunt, for example, may not participate, since she already belongs to another clan (through marriage). The ritual is performed by men, and women join towards the end when prayers are read. Aisa says that she also participated in a ritual of making offerings – including milk, gold dust, yellow and white coins – to the spirits of water. Aisa points out that when people move to a new place, they should throw white and yellow coins into a nearby lake or river.Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin