Shamanic attributes include the so-called fetishes — various inanimate objects, which are believed to have special magical powers. The common name for those fetishes was eeren. They were thought to assist shamans in curing diseases.
Usually, eerens were figurines of idols made and consecrated by a shaman. They could be sewn from cotton cloth or carved from wood. The eerens were suspended inside the house in a place that was strictly designated for them and protected the house, the shaman and his family from illnesses, evil spirits, and bad luck.
The most famous Tuvan spirits helpers were the cuckoo, moth, wolf, orphan, and others. All of them primarily guarded the health and well-being of the family.
Eeren hek (or kek) is the ethnic Tuvan name for the cuckoo — the shamanic spirit helper from the museum collection. The shamans usually carved cuckoo figurines from a solid piece of wood. The piece was then covered with black paint, and a hole was made on the back, into which a leather strap was inserted. The cuckoos were placed inside the house. A bundle of white, brown, yellow, red, blue, purple, and grey cotton ribbons was usually tied around the cuckoo’s neck.
The cuckoo was considered one of the main helpers of a shaman during shamanistic rituals, which included summoning spirits. The cuckoo drawing was applied to shamanic tambourines: according to beliefs, it amplified a shaman’s voice and made it pleasant and musical. That way a shaman could get the attention of more viewers. The idol was placed in the upper part of the shaman’s white curtain in the yurt.
It was believed that shamans should help people and cure their illnesses. The shaman’s eerens depended on his origin. For example, a shaman of celestial origin could address the ‘Solangy’ (glow) spirits, ‘Cheleesh’ (rainbow), ‘Kuzungu’ (ritual mirror), or ‘Deer edi’ (celestial object). The spirits revealed to the shaman what the disease was and how soon the patient would recover. Some eerens consulted the shaman on the possible outcome of the illness. Only after they gave their advice, the shaman would proceed with the shamanistic ritual — either ‘Kuskun’ (raven) or ‘Ugu’ (owl).
Usually, eerens were figurines of idols made and consecrated by a shaman. They could be sewn from cotton cloth or carved from wood. The eerens were suspended inside the house in a place that was strictly designated for them and protected the house, the shaman and his family from illnesses, evil spirits, and bad luck.
The most famous Tuvan spirits helpers were the cuckoo, moth, wolf, orphan, and others. All of them primarily guarded the health and well-being of the family.
Eeren hek (or kek) is the ethnic Tuvan name for the cuckoo — the shamanic spirit helper from the museum collection. The shamans usually carved cuckoo figurines from a solid piece of wood. The piece was then covered with black paint, and a hole was made on the back, into which a leather strap was inserted. The cuckoos were placed inside the house. A bundle of white, brown, yellow, red, blue, purple, and grey cotton ribbons was usually tied around the cuckoo’s neck.
The cuckoo was considered one of the main helpers of a shaman during shamanistic rituals, which included summoning spirits. The cuckoo drawing was applied to shamanic tambourines: according to beliefs, it amplified a shaman’s voice and made it pleasant and musical. That way a shaman could get the attention of more viewers. The idol was placed in the upper part of the shaman’s white curtain in the yurt.
It was believed that shamans should help people and cure their illnesses. The shaman’s eerens depended on his origin. For example, a shaman of celestial origin could address the ‘Solangy’ (glow) spirits, ‘Cheleesh’ (rainbow), ‘Kuzungu’ (ritual mirror), or ‘Deer edi’ (celestial object). The spirits revealed to the shaman what the disease was and how soon the patient would recover. Some eerens consulted the shaman on the possible outcome of the illness. Only after they gave their advice, the shaman would proceed with the shamanistic ritual — either ‘Kuskun’ (raven) or ‘Ugu’ (owl).
