Alexandra Sangadzhieva, Rules, Bans, Omens, Clan Colours

Alexandra says that people should not harm others, or wish others bad or curse them. Despite being poor, Alexandra’s mother adopted an orphan girl in Siberia. About traditional bans. Women should not wear men’s clothing or hats. If a dog howls, this is a bad sign for the family that keeps that dog. It is forbidden to quarrel or curse after dawn. After dawn it is also forbidden to take things out of the house, including food, money, etc. Even if one does not have money, that person should not say that he/she does not have money. Women should not sit first in a newly bought car (Alexandra relays a story of one woman who did not follow this rule and as a consequence the car she at first crashed and the only passenger who was injured was she herself). It is a bad sign if a crow or a magpie cry. In order to prevent evil, one needs to light a candle and read mantras to his/her deity-protector. About daily rituals. If a child cannot walk by the age when children are supposed to walk, throw a hat between that child’s legs and cut the space with scissors. When you buy a new car, toss white and yellow coins on the road, prick a couple of forks or knifes on either side of the entrance to your house yard, and drive your car into your yard. Only after this ritual the car is roadworthy. About a wedding. Alexandra relays a story about her daughter’s wedding. On the wedding day her relatives noticed that a bottle of vodka in the gift box that the groom’s side had brought to them was half full, which is considered a bad sign according to Kalmyk beliefs. When the groom’s people offered to buy a new bottle instead, Alexandra refused the offer asking them to give her money equivalent to the price of a bottle of vodka and add several white and yellow coins. All vodka bottles in the box should be of the same colour and brand.Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwi