Siberian Shaman — Ceremonies and Events

Past Events

January 3-5, 2003
"ON THE RED ROAD NEW YEAR CELEBRATION OF SOBRIETY"
15th Annual Traditional Powwow, Alchothon & Feast
American Indian Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Representatives from the SMSCNA attended the 15th Annual Powwow and Alchothon at the American Indian Center in Minneapolis, MN on January 3-5th, 2003. The theme of the public Powwow was "The Healing Journey", and its sponsors were the Elaine M. Stately Peacemakers Center, Heart of the Earth Center for American Indian Education. and the Chemical Dependency Program at the Minneapolis American Indian Center

The organizer Windy Downwind welcomed us to videotape the event for future broadcast on Mongolian National Television, and invited Taivan-zaarin to perform a short ceremony to honor and send prayers of healing to the American Indian Community, and to open a bridge between the Mongolian and American Indian cultural and spiritual ways of life.

The Center's Educational Director and practicing shaman Lydia Kuleshova was honored to participate in the Inter-Tribal dances at the Pow Wow, and answered questions about Mongolian traditions from curious dancers nearby.

Communications Director Mark Stanley recorded the event on digital video for later editing, and center member Henry Hubben assisted during Taivan-zaarin's invocation and prayer.

Many of the important leaders of the American Indian Movement were present and spoke to the assembled people. Clyde Bellecourt spoke many times and stressed the importance of being together and supporting each other to maintain strength through sobriety, building stronger community ties, and following the Red Road.

Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar

Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar

Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar

November 16, 2002
15th Annual Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony
Mongol-American Cultural Association
Cook College Campus Center
New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Center staff members Taivan-zairan and Lydia Kuleshova were invited to participate in the 15th Annual Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony, sponsored by the Mongol-American Cultural Association in New Jersey the weekend of November 16, 2002. The ceremony was well attended by the local Kalmyk Mongol community as well as the regional Mongol communities from Washington D.C. and New York and surrounding areas.

The day began with welcoming remarks by Sanj Altan, the organizer of the event and head of the Mongol-American Clutural Association. His talk was followed by the keynote speaker, His Excellency Ambassador J. Enkhsaikhan, whose talk was titled "Social, Economic and Political State of Mongolia Today".

After the keynote, the Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony took place and was officiated by Bayaar, Chagaanbaatar, Chinneltu, Enghebatu, Enghe Chimood, Erdenbatu, Oyunbilig, Palgi and Sukhe, all dressed in traditional Mongolian dress. At one end of the expansive hall with floor to ceiling windows looking out into the woods, an altar was set up, with a large portrait of Chinggis Khan at the top of cascading brocade-covered tiered rows of offering bowls of food and ceremonial liquids, candles and flowers. In front on the floor were nine pots each containing an arrow tied with streamers of multi-colored ribbons, and to the left was a representation of Chinggis Khan's Suld or banner, a tall pole topped with a large tassel of horsehair tipped with a spear. In the old days, these kinds of banners were carried by the Great Khan's retinue while traveling and erected in front of his ger at camp. They embodied the power and protection of his ancestral lineage and spiritual strength of the Tenger. On either side of the altar hung both the American flag and the Mongolian flag.

Following the memorial ceremony, Taivan-zairan did a shamanist ritual and was assisted by Lydia. Taivan invoked the spirits, drummed, sang and danced while the audience looked on. It was the first time in 15 years that the ceremony included a shamanist ritual. It was a very momentous occasion for all.

After the ritual was a lecture titled "The Legendary Origin of Chinggis Khan as given in the Secret History" by Dr. Gerelt. Following this was "The Mongol Community in Japan" given by Dr. Tsogtu. Then we viewed a video presentation by Tony Ettinger and Enghe Chimood on the "Mongolian Children's Aid and Development Fund", which showed scenes shot during their travels throughout Mongolia, developing programs to help the children, including the Huvsgul region where Taivan-zairan is from.

Lydia was invited to give a short presentation about the Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America, which generated much interest and support among the attending Mongolian community, who were all very grateful to know that their ancient shamanist traditions were being recognized, honored and preserved.

The evening continued with a dinner reception, traditional Mongolian music and much festivity, singing and dancing. We met many very interesting people and felt grateful and honored to be able to participate in this event.

October 19, 2002
Fall Gathering for Ceremony—Fire Ceremony
Honoring the Earth Before Winter
Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America
Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA

Enkhtaivan-zairan lead a fire ceremony honoring the time of year just before the snow falls when the earth prepares to slumber. In the fire ceremony, we honored the lus or water spirits of the earth. We focused on healing and divination. Several particpants went through inititation. We also heard many stories and began the Mongolian language lessons now being offered by the center. To see more photos of this event click here.

September 9, 2002
Opening Ceremony
Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

The Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America had it's official Opening Ceremony on Monday, September 9, 2002 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We had a very successful and well-attended gathering for the Opening Ceremony inaugurating our new Center for Shamanism in Minneapolis. Three members of our Mongolian comminity attended. Enkhtaivan-zairan and Lydia Kuleshova both shamanized for the ceremony to bring in blessing, protection, healing and wisdom from the Tenger and Onghut Spirits for success in this new and important venture.

Earth Healing—Working with Nature Spirits
June 22-23, 2002
Minneapolis/St. Paul

We are blessed to be able to have this workshop during this very spiritually potent time. Traditionally, the summer solstice is celebrated among the Mongol people in a ceremony called Ulaan Tergel which means "Red Round", signifying the day of the Sun's return. It is believed that summer solstice marks the beginning of a three month period when the spiritual energy is particularly powerful for shamanic work.

The Ulaan Tergel ceremony is part of the workshop. We will also be learning various earth healing and cleansing practices which help to restore spiritual balance in the environments we live in by working more closely with the nature spirits. This will include cleansing bodies of water, cleaning air pollution, house cleansing, healing land which has been desecrated, polluted or has been a site to violence and suffering, all causing potentially harmful spiritual conditions for people living in and around these areas. We will learn simple and effective practices of cleansing the littered and vandalized urban areas around us to raise the energy and accumulate buyan. We may also do the Welcoming Back the Birds ceremony, even though it is traditionally done on the first full moon in May.

This is an intermediate level workshop open to those who have taken either the Introductory or the Healing and Divination workshops or who have equivalent shamanic training.

Siberian Mongolian Healing and Divination
May 4-5, 2002
Minneapolis/St. Paul

The Healing & Divination teachings introduces the student to a variety of ancient Siberian and Mongolian divination and diagnostic techniques using simple tools such as playing cards, coins, pebbles, shagai (sheep ankle bones), omens in nature, beads, gazing, scanning and many other techniques which call upon using what is at hand and looking to one's dreams for guidance. In the Siberian and Mongolian traditions, divination is used not only as a tool for fortune telling but also as a diagnostic tool for illuminating the cause and treatment of illness in a patient.

We will talk about the nature and structure of the three souls, the characteristics of the spirits of the three worlds, and the basic types of illnesses caused by a variety of spiritual imbalances such as soul loss, interference, intrusion, possession and pollution, and how to treat them. The format of the workshop is a combination of verbal and visual presention of the material, story telling and experiential transmission of the teachings. These teachings form the foundation of more advanced shamanic work.

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Copyright 2002 All rights reserved
This web site maintained by 4insight 1/31/04

	Past Events
			January 3-5, 2003 "ON THE RED ROAD NEW YEAR CELEBRATION OF SOBRIETY" 15th Annual Traditional Powwow, Alchothon & Feast American Indian Center Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Representatives from the SMSCNA attended the 15th Annual Powwow and Alchothon at the American Indian Center in Minneapolis, MN on January 3-5th, 2003. The theme of the public Powwow was "The Healing Journey", and its sponsors were the Elaine M. Stately Peacemakers Center, Heart of the Earth Center for American Indian Education. and the Chemical Dependency Program at the Minneapolis American Indian Center The organizer Windy Downwind welcomed us to videotape the event for future broadcast on Mongolian National Television, and invited Taivan-zaarin to perform a short ceremony to honor and send prayers of healing to the American Indian Community, and to open a bridge between the Mongolian and American Indian cultural and spiritual ways of life. The Center's Educational Director and practicing shaman Lydia Kuleshova was honored to participate in the Inter-Tribal dances at the Pow Wow, and answered questions about Mongolian traditions from curious dancers nearby. Communications Director Mark Stanley recorded the event on digital video for later editing, and center member Henry Hubben assisted during Taivan-zaarin's invocation and prayer. Many of the important leaders of the American Indian Movement were present and spoke to the assembled people. Clyde Bellecourt spoke many times and stressed the importance of being together and supporting each other to maintain strength through sobriety, building stronger community ties, and following the Red Road.
	Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar Photo credit: Chagaan Baatar		November 16, 2002 15th Annual Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony Mongol-American Cultural Association Cook College Campus Center New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA Center staff members Taivan-zairan and Lydia Kuleshova were invited to participate in the 15th Annual Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony, sponsored by the Mongol-American Cultural Association in New Jersey the weekend of November 16, 2002. The ceremony was well attended by the local Kalmyk Mongol community as well as the regional Mongol communities from Washington D.C. and New York and surrounding areas. The day began with welcoming remarks by Sanj Altan, the organizer of the event and head of the Mongol-American Clutural Association. His talk was followed by the keynote speaker, His Excellency Ambassador J. Enkhsaikhan, whose talk was titled "Social, Economic and Political State of Mongolia Today". After the keynote, the Chinggis Khan Memorial Ceremony took place and was officiated by Bayaar, Chagaanbaatar, Chinneltu, Enghebatu, Enghe Chimood, Erdenbatu, Oyunbilig, Palgi and Sukhe, all dressed in traditional Mongolian dress. At one end of the expansive hall with floor to ceiling windows looking out into the woods, an altar was set up, with a large portrait of Chinggis Khan at the top of cascading brocade-covered tiered rows of offering bowls of food and ceremonial liquids, candles and flowers. In front on the floor were nine pots each containing an arrow tied with streamers of multi-colored ribbons, and to the left was a representation of Chinggis Khan's Suld or banner, a tall pole topped with a large tassel of horsehair tipped with a spear. In the old days, these kinds of banners were carried by the Great Khan's retinue while traveling and erected in front of his ger at camp. They embodied the power and protection of his ancestral lineage and spiritual strength of the Tenger. On either side of the altar hung both the American flag and the Mongolian flag. Following the memorial ceremony, Taivan-zairan did a shamanist ritual and was assisted by Lydia. Taivan invoked the spirits, drummed, sang and danced while the audience looked on. It was the first time in 15 years that the ceremony included a shamanist ritual. It was a very momentous occasion for all. After the ritual was a lecture titled "The Legendary Origin of Chinggis Khan as given in the Secret History" by Dr. Gerelt. Following this was "The Mongol Community in Japan" given by Dr. Tsogtu. Then we viewed a video presentation by Tony Ettinger and Enghe Chimood on the "Mongolian Children's Aid and Development Fund", which showed scenes shot during their travels throughout Mongolia, developing programs to help the children, including the Huvsgul region where Taivan-zairan is from. Lydia was invited to give a short presentation about the Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America, which generated much interest and support among the attending Mongolian community, who were all very grateful to know that their ancient shamanist traditions were being recognized, honored and preserved. The evening continued with a dinner reception, traditional Mongolian music and much festivity, singing and dancing. We met many very interesting people and felt grateful and honored to be able to participate in this event.
			October 19, 2002 Fall Gathering for Ceremony—Fire Ceremony Honoring the Earth Before Winter Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA Enkhtaivan-zairan lead a fire ceremony honoring the time of year just before the snow falls when the earth prepares to slumber. In the fire ceremony, we honored the lus or water spirits of the earth. We focused on healing and divination. Several particpants went through inititation. We also heard many stories and began the Mongolian language lessons now being offered by the center. To see more photos of this event click here.
			September 9, 2002 Opening Ceremony Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA The Siberian Mongolian Shamanism Center of North America had it's official Opening Ceremony on Monday, September 9, 2002 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We had a very successful and well-attended gathering for the Opening Ceremony inaugurating our new Center for Shamanism in Minneapolis. Three members of our Mongolian comminity attended. Enkhtaivan-zairan and Lydia Kuleshova both shamanized for the ceremony to bring in blessing, protection, healing and wisdom from the Tenger and Onghut Spirits for success in this new and important venture.
			Earth Healing—Working with Nature Spirits June 22-23, 2002 Minneapolis/St. Paul We are blessed to be able to have this workshop during this very spiritually potent time. Traditionally, the summer solstice is celebrated among the Mongol people in a ceremony called Ulaan Tergel which means "Red Round", signifying the day of the Sun's return. It is believed that summer solstice marks the beginning of a three month period when the spiritual energy is particularly powerful for shamanic work. The Ulaan Tergel ceremony is part of the workshop. We will also be learning various earth healing and cleansing practices which help to restore spiritual balance in the environments we live in by working more closely with the nature spirits. This will include cleansing bodies of water, cleaning air pollution, house cleansing, healing land which has been desecrated, polluted or has been a site to violence and suffering, all causing potentially harmful spiritual conditions for people living in and around these areas. We will learn simple and effective practices of cleansing the littered and vandalized urban areas around us to raise the energy and accumulate buyan. We may also do the Welcoming Back the Birds ceremony, even though it is traditionally done on the first full moon in May. This is an intermediate level workshop open to those who have taken either the Introductory or the Healing and Divination workshops or who have equivalent shamanic training.
			Siberian Mongolian Healing and Divination May 4-5, 2002 Minneapolis/St. Paul The Healing & Divination teachings introduces the student to a variety of ancient Siberian and Mongolian divination and diagnostic techniques using simple tools such as playing cards, coins, pebbles, shagai (sheep ankle bones), omens in nature, beads, gazing, scanning and many other techniques which call upon using what is at hand and looking to one's dreams for guidance. In the Siberian and Mongolian traditions, divination is used not only as a tool for fortune telling but also as a diagnostic tool for illuminating the cause and treatment of illness in a patient. We will talk about the nature and structure of the three souls, the characteristics of the spirits of the three worlds, and the basic types of illnesses caused by a variety of spiritual imbalances such as soul loss, interference, intrusion, possession and pollution, and how to treat them. The format of the workshop is a combination of verbal and visual presention of the material, story telling and experiential transmission of the teachings. These teachings form the foundation of more advanced shamanic work.


	Center \| Teachers \| Events \| Education \| Arts \| Travel \| Affiliations \| Photos \| Support \| Copyright 2002 All rights reserved This web site maintained by 4insight 1/31/04