Religious background: "siel", "salama" and "delbirge" in ritualistic space in light of examination of evolution of bloodless sacrifices performed by Sakha people

Horse worship has a great significance in the mythological and ritual space of Sakha people. All of the «real world» and ritualistic symbolism of Sakha people is related to the «horse imagery». Horsehair siel was and is widely used as material for ritualistic attributes. Although salama and delbirge made of siel horsehair are ones of the most widely used ritualistic attributes of Sakha people and are mentioned in the works of numerous pre-revolutionary and modern authors, their comprehensive description and explanation of their functional properties are lacking. For this reason, this paper analyzes rituals involving salama and delbirge in historical and cognitive, linguistic and cultural, and symbolic aspects. The analysis reveals their role of the most important cultural symbols of ancient human, who used them to communicate with supernatural powers and explore a specific mythological world. The paper studies extensive materials on the tradition of bloodless sacrifices for the first time and reveals its genetic connection with the rites of related peoples. The study results in a conclusion that salama and delbirge have similar archaic roots related to the worship of Mother Earth, but differ in their functional and symbolic value.