Ovoo worship at Sümiin Bulag ovoo, Dornogovi

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This series of audiovisual recordings documents the annual ovoo worship (ovoo takhikh) ritual at Sümiin Bulag in Örgön sum, Dornogovi aimag. This sacred site is the location of a natural spring and the ruins of a former temple, as well as several ceremonial cairns (ovoo). Families from this area worship the sacred site on the 15th day of the middle month of autumn, according to the traditional lunisolar calendar. We joined Dösh Lama, his wife, and Gündsamba from Khamar Monastery in attending the ritual. Beginning at sunrise the men climbed the hills one at a time, carrying a platter of meat offerings prepared from each household, and sat as Dösh Lama chanted eulogies to the mountain next to each ovoo. Meanwhile the women sprinkled offerings of milk in the direction of each ovoo from below. Finally everyone circumambulated the stupa next to the spring. Once the worship was complete, everyone shared their offerings with the other families. The ovoo worship was followed by a feast, then horse races and wrestling among local herders.

2012-10-02