SHAMANS INTEND TO SEEK RECOGNITION OF SHAMANISM AS FIFTH CONFESSION IN RUSSIA
Interfax-Religiia, 19 June 2018
Shamans of Russia intend to unite in a single organization and seek recognition of shamanism as a religion on the governmental level, a deputy of the Supreme Shaman of Russia, Artur Tsybikov, reported at a press conference in Interfax in Irkutsk.
"We have prepared an open letter to the president of the Russian Federation and to the Federation Council in which we ask for consideration of this question. In the near future we will send it to Moscow," A. Tsybikov said.
He clarified that the letter has been prepared on the basis of the results of the first election of a Supreme Shaman of Russia in the history of the Russian Federation. In June, the native of Tuva Kara-Ool Dopchun-Ool became Supreme Shaman.
A. Tsybikov specified that shamans do not lay claims to funds in state programs that are created for support of culture and religion.
"In shamanism there are places of strength. For example, Cape Burkhan on the island of Olkhon in Lake Baikal. You will not build a temple there. Instead, we do not want, for example, to disturb people in the city when we conduct rituals. Therefore we plan to create shaman centers," A. Tsybikov added.
In his opinion, the unification of shamans has been developing for a long time, although some of them do not want to be members of a centralized organization.
"Our goal is to make shamanism the fifth confession in Russia. We seek to help people and we expect that they will pay attention to us," A. Tsybikov explained.
He also noted that unification will facilitate neutralizing fraudsters who represent themselves as shamans.
"A website will be created where everybody will be able to receive complete information about one or another shaman," A. Tsybikov said. (tr. by PDS, posted 19 June 2018)
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