Shaman's headdress «AVOON»

The author's reconstruction of a headdress with a back band of an Evenki shaman of the late 19th century from the museum collection. Deer horn, metal, beads, leather, suede, textiles . The shaman's costume as a whole symbolized the universe and represented the deer-bird, the shaman's twin, in whose image he flew through the universe.The deer was considered a symbol of purity, and its horns were associated with the top of the world tree. The shaman usually received a set of his attributes - the receptacle of spirit helpers - in parts, and an increase in their number meant an increase in his strength. The first donning of shamanic robes was accompanied by the ritual of "breaking a new dress" (similar to breaking a horse) , with individual chants dedicated to the spirit of the awun hat. The dorsal ribbon depicts the world river and three worlds. The Upper world is symbolized by birds made of metal, the Middle one is a deer figure, and the Lower One is otter figures. The strips of skin covering the face during the ritual "shut off" the shaman from the reality of the middle world. Harnesses of leather, cloth, and fur depicted shamanic "roads" through the worlds of the universe. The size is adjusted by means of ties at the back of the head .