Russia

Shamanism, one of the world’s oldest spiritual belief systems, is often considered to have its heartland in Siberia. It is traditionally practised by the Buryats, nomadic people of Mongol origin and the largest indigenous population in Siberia. Primarily residing in and around Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, the Buryats practice a form of Shamanism known as Tengerism, meaning “honouring of spirits”. Three spheres of being are worshipped: the upper sphere, space; the middle sphere, land; and the lower sphere, the underground; with how we spend our present life affecting the quality of life in the next sphere.

Shamanism was largely forced out of Russia and Mongolia due to the rise of Buddhism and Christianity and then decades of religious repression during Soviet times. Whilst the majority of the Buryats are either practising Buddhists or Orthodox Christians, the practice of Tengerism is inclusive and welcomes anyone interested in its belief system. As a result, it has developed a close relationship and coexists peacefully with Buddhism, as practised by many Buryats. Shamanism has experienced a resurgence following the fall of the Soviet Union and is estimated to be practised by approximately 1% of Russians.  It has also increased in popularity beyond Russia, with many international visitors coming to Ulan-Ude and Lake Baikal, where Shamanism has been practised for centuries, to celebrate and learn more about this ancient belief system.