The Role of Calendar Rituals as Regulators

Abstract

Every community has ideas of what is important and meaningful
for its members. In a ‘traditional’ culture, one sees purpose and
meaning in rituals, and everyday existence is interspersed with them.
In particular, calendar rituals regulate the annual cycle and family customs
relate to the cycle of life. This paper examines Udmurt calendar
rituals regulated by various means and rules, attempting to explain
which of the regulators played a significant role and which favoured
the preservation and development of traditional customs. These regulators
include the lunar and solar calendars, environmental conditions,
society itself and its expectations, and religious life.