Jordan as a sacred water object of traditional culture (case study of Shimiserskii Vepsians)

The article is concerned with the value of jordan as a sacred water object intrinsic to Vepsian traditional culture. Customs and beliefs related to an identical water basin located in the former village of Pelkaska (Vologda district) together with multiple evidence provided by informants are studied. The origin of jordan as a sacral complex is examined. Appearance of jordan as a sacred water complex is associated with numerous attacks of invaders known among local population as Polish “pans”.