The snake and its image in the Khakasian shamanism (end of the 19 th - middle of the 20th century)

In the article, the place and role of the snake and its image in the Khakasian shamanism are analyzed for the first time on the basis of the archival and literary ethnographic sources. In the course of the study, a conclusion is made about the great importance of this reptile in the myth-ritual complex of Khakas shamans. The snake was regarded as one of the most important spiritual assistants of the shaman, who rendered him a substantial assistance in his mysteries, especially during the Journey to the Lower Realm. In this connection, the symbolic image of a snake was widely represented in shaman 's attributes - a costume and a tambourine. The ritual vestments kam, the snake was represented in the form of specialized long tapes - syzym and cowrie shells - chylanmas. This representative of the reptiles was one of the most common sacral figures depicted on a tambourine.