Sacred Rituals and Calendar Festivities in the Annual Cycle of Udmurts

Abstract

This article examines the interaction between Udmurt traditional rituals and newly imposed Soviet festivities. Udmurt sacred religious rituals have been modified during the Soviet period and official events have absorbed traditional elements. The author concentrates on the peculiarities of transformation from one status of the festivals to another and considers the reasons for transformation and the methods of transitions. The author also examines the origin of new types of festive activities, which developed their internal structure under persistent external influences.