Hus t"os - bird fetish in mythos-ritual sphere of Khakasses (end XIX - mid XX centuries)

Purpose. The article aims at studying the cult of bird among the Khakasses through such a material manifestation as a fetish Hus tös. Results. We defined the sacred significance and the role of the fetish in the worldview and ritual practices of the Khakasses, analyzed the fetish’s external characteristics and revealed symbolic variations of its design, and considered the ways of people’s interaction with this ritual sacred object. Conclusion. The chronological scope of the work covers the end of the XIX - mid XX centuries. The choice of such time limits is caused primarily by the database sources referring to the topic under research. The main sources are archival and ethnographic materials. The work is based on comprehensive, system-historical approach to the study of the past. Research methodology is based on historical and ethnographic methods - scientific description, in particular specific historical and relic. In the worldview and ritual practices of the Khakasses, considerable attention was given to the cult of bird. It includes the totality of religious and magical ideas, as well as rituals and ceremonies associated with certain kinds of birds from ancient times to the present. This cult is seen as a changing phenomenon going from the ancient, diverse, unified cult to its remnants in the present. On the other hand, there is no doubt that many of the ideas underlying this cult have survived unchanged to the present day. In addition, in our interpretations of the cult of birds of prey and religious-magical rites and rituals associated with it, we assume the generally accepted position that in ancient times the religious and magical ideas and rituals covered most, if not all, aspects of the life of ancient man. The Bird was considered an unusual creature, although approximately equal to a person (totemism). The Bird demanded that the human relationship to it should be expressed in the ritual and utilitarian areas. At the same time, religious and social hierarchy in the world existed apart from the Bird as it lives according to its own rules. Thus, the Bird is in the complex real and unreal relationships with the world of men. In their traditional beliefs, the Khakasses presented a multifaceted image of a syncretic Hus tös. It combined the features of different species of birds and the deity of fertility. Traditionally, the Bird possessed protective and patronizing functions including the power of purification, healing, etc. The image of the spirit of the Bird found its vivid expression in the fetish Hus тös. All the major sacred qualities of this supernatural being were transferred to this ritual subject. This idol was perceived as one of the most important tribal family spirits-patrons. A common belief was that in many ways safety of the people’s health, their wellbeing and life success in their economic activities depended on the benevolence of Hus tös.