Abstract

Reverence for nature and sacralization of the landscape occupy an important place in the traditional Tuvan culture. Water stands out among natural objects, and its cult dominates all the others due to the perception of water as a source of life. A whole set of prohibitions and prescriptions was forged that involved attitude toward water and water resources - creeks, large and small rivers, healing springs-arzhaans, their sources, lakes. The belief in their spirits - sug eesi- reveals a special reverence of the Tuvans for nature and the world around them. The authors analyze the essence and functions of the water cult in terms of the early beliefs of the Tuvans: shamanism, tengrianism and Buddhism. The article examines the concept of sacred water in the sociological dimension. The research material has been provided by Tuvan and religious studies, especially focused on early religious practices, sacralization of nature, shamanism and Buddhism, as well as the field studies after the expeditions and investigations in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018. The authors conclude that traditional cult practices, including the water cult, still persist and interact with other cultural phenomena. Moreover, some shifts and new practices to reproduce traditional values and patterns have been observed. The study shows that nature is the source and symbol of life, the link between the macrocosm and the microcosm in the traditional Tuvan culture. The water cult for the Tuvans is not a relic of the past, but up to now one of the most important elements of the traditional worldview and culture. This vision is embodied in the customs and rituals related to the consecration of the sources of rivers and springs, arzhaans.