THE ROLE OF THE MYTHOLOGICAL DEITY OF PROCREATION AIYYSYT IN THE SHAMANISM OF THE SAKHA PEOPLE (YAKUTS)

Abstract

In the article the image of the mythological deity Aiyysyt (Ayyõhyt) as a female goddess-patroness of children and women in childbirth is revealed. The Sakha people’s maternity ritual is a relatively structured system of various magical actions aimed at giving birth to a healthy child, in which Aiyysyt is the only deity of childbirth to whom shamans appeal. She has the power to give or not to give a child. The shamanic ritual of ‘asking for the soul of the child’ is conducted to favor Aiyysyt. Shamanic rites and addresses of shamans devoted to the goddess Aiyysyt are considered in comparison of modernity with tradition. Addresses to the deity Aiyysyt by modern shamans of Yakutia Ivanov Y.P. – Baara5ai Bakhsi, Odun E.E. – Kuorsunnaakh, Kartuzova A.V. during the rite of ‘asking for the soul of a child’ are introduced into the scientific turnover.