Artist: DJ Furth
Edition: 1/1
Shaman Margarita comes from a long line of shamans as well as Buddhist lamas. She is deeply committed to her work and the sacred responsibility that she embodies as a shaman. She said she would prefer not to be a shaman as the burden is very heavy, but in the end she has no choice as it is her fate.
As with other practicing shamans in the Soviet Union, her work had to remain a secret, performed underground in order to avoid brutal persecution. And yet she and others retained their faith and practice which has experienced a resurgence since the fall of communism.
She explains how she comes to know what needs to be done in her shamanic practice. “Dreams are very important for a shaman, all the knowledge comes from dreams…what to wear, what to do and how to do it, everything comes in dreams, and that’s how we see and hear…we are given everything from above.”
“Shamanism is the most ancient religion. Shamans have existed as long as people have existed. It is more connected to nature to the masters of the earth, the mountains, the rivers.”
In response to our questions about what her ceremonies entail and the role of the shaman in society, she explains, “When we are performing a ritual we don’t ask for well-being for a particular person. We are asking for everyone’s well-being. There are very many nationalities here in Buryatia, all the nationalities of the Soviet Union. Here we perform a ritual for everyone, for people to live together amicably.”
Shaman Margarita is also in the small minority of female shamans. As she says, “for us, for Buryats, a man is considered strong. Especially the darhan blacksmith [shamans]. But there is not much difference. A shaman is a shaman.”
As we ended our conversation, she explained her views on the purpose and responsibilities of a shaman, she explained, “A shaman’s rule is not to deceive people. It’s to help people. If your sworn enemy comes to you, you must help him…you must help whoever comes to you.”
“In the old times shaman used to swear an oath…My teacher always used to say — do not scare people. You have to be psychologist, to present information in a correct way.”