Mari religion

Mari religion, also called Mari paganism, is the traditional beliefs and practices of the Mari people. The Mari are an ethnic group living mainly in Mari El, a region in Russia. Their religion is tied closely to their land and history, with many rituals and festivals connected to nature and the changing seasons.

Over many years, the Mari religion has changed because of influences from nearby religions. Even so, many people in the countryside still follow these old traditions today. In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in bringing back these ancient beliefs and practices, helping to keep the Mari culture alive.

History

The Mari religion is one of the oldest traditions in the area, even though it was affected by nearby religions like Islam and later Russian Orthodox Christianity. In the past, the Mari people lived between big powers, such as the Russian Empire and the Kazan Khanate, before becoming part of Russia. Even after being asked to change their beliefs, many Mari people kept their traditions.

Later on, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, there was a new interest in the old Mari ways. New groups formed to keep the traditions alive, and places for worship were created again in cities like Moscow. This revival aimed to bring back the Mari language and culture, showing how important these traditions are to the people.

Organisation

Mari pagans are part of three main groups: the Chimari, who have not been baptised and usually do not follow Christianity; the Marla vera, who have been baptised and mix their traditional beliefs with Christian practices; and the Kugu sorta, who are part of a modern revival of these ancient beliefs.

In the Mari El republic, Mari paganism is officially recognised as the "Mari Traditional Religion" (MTR). This organisation includes over 100 religious groups and represents all three of these categories. The beliefs and traditions of Mari paganism are also taught in schools in Mari El, where it is one of the three recognised traditional religions, along with Russian Orthodoxy and Islam.

Beliefs

Mari religious beliefs differ depending on where people live and whether they are in towns or the countryside.

Mari religion believes in many gods, but they all come from one main god called Kugu Yumo. Kugu Yumo created the universe and protects people. He is linked to everything in space and to wisdom.

Another important god is Keremet, who controls the earth and water. He keeps track of when people do wrong things and may punish them. People respect Keremet with special ceremonies and by honoring trees. Some Mari people see Keremet as a protector, while others see him as a dangerous figure. This difference came from Christian teachings.

There are also many other gods connected to nature, animals, festivals, and daily life. For example, there is a goddess of birth named Shochyn-Ava and gods who watch over farming. These gods are often thought of as mother goddesses, but there are also male gods. Some spirits protect people’s faith, while others help tell the future.

In the countryside, many people believe in special spirits called vechory that live in homes. These spirits are thought to bring good luck to families, and people make offerings to them. There are also other spirits believed to cause problems in society.

Main article: Mari mythology

Practices and rituals

Mari rituals happen either in special outdoor places called sacred groves or inside homes. Sometimes, people would hide their prayers in groves at night or move them into their homes to stay safe from others who did not agree with their beliefs.

Family rituals are usually led by an older person, but if there is no older person, someone special called a kart can lead instead. In the past, families would meet in a small wooden building called a kudo for these rituals, but this is not common anymore.

In the fall, families would thank the earth for a good harvest and ask for a good winter by sharing a special meal. They would cook and eat a goose together as a family, and then burn any leftover pieces.

Demographics

Surveys from the mid-1990s showed that about 60% of the Mari people followed both their traditional beliefs and Christianity, while 5–7% followed only their old ways. A later survey in 2006 found that most Mari, around 67.3%, were Orthodox Christians, with 11.5% following both faiths and 2.5% only their traditional beliefs. However, many Mari people might say they are Christian while still keeping their old customs and rituals.

In areas outside Mari El, such as Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Udmurtia, Perm Krai, and the Ural region, more Mari people kept their traditional beliefs. Many Mari moved to these places long ago to avoid changing their religion to Christianity.