Yakut shamanism (original) (raw)

Yakut shamanism is a folk religion traditionally practiced by the Yakuts. Accounts of the supernatural have been preserved in the olonkho, a musical folklore tradition. After the Russian conquest of the Yakut homeland in the 17th century some influences from Orthodox Christianity began. During the Soviet Union adherents were persecuted and the faith had to be practiced in secret. After the establishment of the Russian Federation came revivalist movements like the Aiyy Faith. Aspects of Yakut shamanism and Central Asian Buddhism have been promoted by the Sakha, like the Yhyakh festival.