Anatol Donkan talks about the Master of the Forest

“This is a Kalgama figure. Kalgama embodies the Master or spirit of the forest. This type of figure protects the hunter when he goes hunting. Kalgama figures come in different sizes. There is a large Kalgama, and here beside it stands a small Kalgama. They belong to the same family. They fed these figures and always treated them with special reverence. Because Kalgama helps them find tracks – for example in the snow – or to recognize other signs that an animal has left on the ground. They believe that when they have tracked an animal, it was Kalgama who helped them. That’s why the hunter feeds Kalgama before the hunt to ensure success. He gives him some vodka and a cigarette, strokes him, and says: ‘Yes, Grandfather, I am very grateful to you.’ After the hunt, he feeds him again and says: ‘Alright, come on, I’ll take you back to your cupboard.’ They know that this figure is the spirit of the forest who always comes to their aid.” (Video in progress)

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Viechtach, 2024.