Exploring the developmental trajectory of the institution of clergy in the Mari traditional religion in the 1950s–1960s (based on materials from the Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature, and History)

Introduction. The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a new phase in the development of the Mari traditional religion and its clergy. At present, sacred grove prayers are held annually in the Republic of Mari El, with Mari kartas (priests) playing a pivotal role in sustaining this tradition. Analyzing the current ethno-religious landscape from an evolutionary perspective (tradition) or a revolutionary one (New Age) necessitates an examination of historical narratives. Scholarly works addressing the activities of the clergy within the Mari traditional religion in the 20th century remain scarce, particularly concerning the several decades following the end of World War II. The aim of this study is to identify the distinctive features of the institutional development of the Mari traditional religious clergy in the 1950s-1960s.