Anatol Donkan talks about wind spirits

"This is what a boat looks like, one used, for example, to transport fish. It has a mast, and when it was fully loaded with fish, sails made from fish skin were set. After fishing, the sail was taken down from the mast. It could then also be used as a summer tent under which the fishermen rested. Here you can see the fish skin with which the sail was sewn. When the sail comes into contact with water, it does not get wet. It could also serve as protection against the wind. Before fishing began, a ritual was performed with such a small boat, in which the shaman negotiated with the wind spirit who lives somewhere in the mountains. There are different winds that could be dangerous for the boat, such as downdrafts that can create high waves, causing the boat to rock. They also wished for a wind that would blow properly into the sail so that the boat would move forward well. Inside the boat, you can see dogs with sleds that symbolize the wind. They are fed to calm the wind and ensure that nothing bad happens during fishing – that the boat does not capsize and that the wind blows in the right direction.” (Video in progress)

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Viechtach, 2024.