Anatol Donkan talks about helper spirits for the hunt

“These are also helper spirits (seveny) for hunters. Every hunter has his own territory: one hunts in the mountains, another in the forest, and another in the swamp area. They made figures for a specific place. These places, they believed, were inhabited by guardian spirits who owned these territories. Before each hunting season, a ritual – like a small festival – was held to appease the spirits. They were invited, entertained, sprinkled with vodka, and smoked with swamp rosemary branches (Ledum palustre). After the ritual, the figures were left behind. The spirits were satisfied and then recognized the hunters when they came to them. And when the hunters were in their hunting grounds, they felt among familiar spirits like they were among their own relatives.” (Video in progress)

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Viechtach, 2024.