Kyzyl and Tuvan shamanism
The capital of the Tuva republic in southern Siberia, where shamanic societies were refounded after decades of ban.
Practised and told of here
Best time: June to September.
Kyzyl lies at the meeting of two headstreams of the Yenisei. Tuvans keep a mix of Buddhism and shamanism, and a centre of shamans, Dungur, was founded here in the 1990s.
Shamans after the ban
Soviet rule banned shamans and monastic life. After 1991, practising shamans came back into the open, and new societies registered their members and gave certificates. Tuvan shamans, called kham, work with drum, song and offerings to heal, find lost things and speak to ancestors.
Tradition and tourism
Throat singing is part of the cultural scene in Tuva. The border region draws foreign visitors keen on shamanism, and some local people complain about commercial rites of poor quality. Tuvans treat the closely held rites as private to a family or clan.
Visiting
Arrange a visit through a Tuvan contact or museum, and avoid paid rites meant as entertainment. A permit is needed for some border zones and travel advice for Russia should be checked.
A respectful visit to Kyzyl and Tuvan shamanism
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- The Centre of Asia monument Mark the geographic centre of the continent on the river.
- The National Museum See shamanic objects displayed with context.
- Tsechenling Monastery Visit the Buddhist monastery.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Kyzyl" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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