Anatol Donkan talks about swamp spirits

“These figures represent young bears that live near the water. They help the hunter when he walks through the swamp, so he doesn’t fall while jumping from one hummock to another. Before the hunter crosses a swamp, he carves such spirit figures (seveny) and performs a ritual to safely pass through the swamp. However, he does not ask for help – instead, he wants to make sure that no one gets in his way. The hunters say: ‘We don’t need help. We can manage on our own. Just please don’t get in our way.’

These figures here are made from peat hummocks. In the swamps, there are larger hummocks like these that are unstable when stepped on. Their roots are tightly intertwined and were cut to make figures shaped like young bears that live in the swamp. The swamp is a dangerous place. If you don’t know the area, you can sink in. Therefore, rituals were held to appease the spirits. These stumps here were made from the wood of the bird cherry tree and express special respect. They carved a small piece of wood with a knife and then wrapped it. These upright figures are also fed. The hunters feel reassured because they know the spirits will help them when they are in the forest to catch sables or other animals.” (Video in progress)

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Viechtach, 2024.