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A Journey in Southern Siberia, by Jeremiah Curtin, [1909], at sacred-texts.com


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER I

PAGE

The Mongols.—Description of Lake Baikal.—Mongol conquests.—The British in India.—Sketch of the history of Siberia.—Southern Siberia first visited by Russian princes.—Ivan the Great divides Yugria (Siberia).—Stróganoff builds trading posts on the Toból River.—Yermak, the national hero of Siberia.—Prince Bolhovski, first government official sent to Siberia.—Death of Yermak.—Founding of Tiumen and Tobólsk.—Founding of Pelym, the first place to which exiles were sent.—The exile of a church bell.—Ivan and Vassili Románoff, brothers of the founder of the Románoff dynasty, the first exiles of distinction sent to Siberia.—Discovery of the Yákuts.—Russians meet the Buriats.—Founding of Irkutsk.—Buriats become Russian subjects

1


CHAPTER II

 

My journey to the Buriats.—Description of Irkutsk and the Angara River.—Exorbitant prices.—Preparations for a journey.—A Siberian exile.—A race up hill.—Post stations.—A harelipped driver.—Buriat dogs.—Arrival at Andrei Mihailovitch's.—Death of Mihailoff's son.—Arrival at Usturdi.—Donkeys of Assuan.—Mongol horses.—Lazareff, the cross-eyed widower.—Mongol wedding

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CHAPTER III

 

A walk and talk with Andrei Mihailovitch.—The mission church.—Search for "wise men."—Taking down myths.—Appearance of Manshut, a man wise in ancient lore.—Arrival of convicts from Russia.—A visit to Andrei Mihailovitch's summer home.—Photographing Ongons (gods).—Preparation for Horse Sacrifice

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CHAPTER IV

 

The Horse Sacrifice.—Multiplication of food and drink.—Prayer to the gods.—Buriat religion.—Difficulties of introducing a new religion.—Preparations for a journey to the sacred island of Olkhon

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CHAPTER V

PAGE

Annoying delays.—A wedding.—Russian influence.—Journey to Olzoni.—Palisaded prison.—Tembovski, a Polish exile.—Visit to the Alexandroffs.—A night journey.—Difficulties encountered at post stations.—Count Murevieff Amoorski.—"Shamaning" to drive away sickness.—Crossing Lake Baikal.—The "Watchers."—Muravieff and the elder of Nur.—Arrival at Seven Pines.—Lodging in a church

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CHAPTER VI

 

A search for old men who know Mongol folk-lore.—Forced to move out of the church.—Lack of food.—Leave Olkhon.—"Ragatz" station.—An Italian blacksmith.—Buriat food.—Picturesque dress of Russian women.—Climate of Siberia.—A Russian exile and his family.—Taking down myths.—Siberian fruit.—Baiandai, a village of ex-convicts.—An exile from Little Russia.—My servant, a murderer.—Soldiers ordered to China.—Arkokoff and his surroundings.—A night-watch who had served out a sentence for murder.—Disorder and dirt.—Difficulties encountered.—Wild flowers of Siberia.—Kongoroff exhibits his gods.—A battle with cockroaches.—An inhuman driver.—A German exile.—Return to Usturdi

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CHAPTER VII

 

A birthday in Siberia.—Search for Manshut.—The Red-nosed exile.—"Red-nose" finds Manshut.—Night ride to Usturdi.—The dissipation of young girls.—Leave Usturdi.—Iyok, a town of ex-convicts.—A night in Kudá (Where).—An ignorant official.—Arrival at Irkutsk

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CHAPTER VIII

 

Customs of the Buriats.—Making of tarasun.—Marriage ceremonies.—Ceremonies after the birth of a child.—Buriat Ongons, gods.—Sickness.—Rites attending the Burning of the Dead.—Buriat Burial of the Dead

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CHAPTER IX

 

Origin of Shamans.—A Shaman story.—Second sight.—Sacred groves of the Shamans.—Sacred groves of the Burkans.—Sacred trees and groves

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CHAPTER X

 

The gods of the Buriats.—House Ongons (gods).—Outside Ongons.—Field Ongons.—The Creation.—Esege Malan.—Gesir Bogdo.—Esege Malan and Mother Earth

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CHAPTER XI

PAGE

Myths connected with Mongol Religion.—Gesir Bogdo, Nos. I, II, III.—The Iron Hero.—Ashir Bogdo

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CHAPTER XII

 

Mongol Myths and Folk-lore.—Buruldai Bogdo Khan, Nos. I, II.—Sharau.—Húnkuvai and the Horse with Round Head.—Varhan Tulai Hubun.—Altin Shagoy.—Yerente Khan and his son Sokto.—Alamaldjin and his twin sister.—The Twin Boys, Altin Shagoy and Mungun Shagoy

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