Tuva.Asia / The New Research of Tuva

When we went to Tuva on a business trip, we never even suspected that we would have an audience with the president of Tuvan shamans. For that reason, we were totally unprepared for such a meeting. Personally, I know absolutely nothing about shamanism, and even more so, I have no idea how to behave during an interview with a representative of this culture. The President for life of Tuvan shamans, Mongush Kenin-Lopsan lives in Kyzyl, in a small one-story wood cabin. He is already 85(!) years old. The little room where he receives visitors holds many shelves with books, and strange incomprehensible pictures hang on the walls. Most of the books were written by Mongush Borakhovich himself. They contain myths and shamanic lyrical poetry. They have been published several times in America and in Europe.

The Tuvan State University has celebrated its 15^th anniversary. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Pedagogical Avenue of the University was opened, and a ceremonial assembly of the collective was held. Also on October 5, the Museum of History and Material Culture of Nomadic Peoples of TyvGU was opened. It is located in one of the suites of the Department of History building of the university. Currently, five glass cases of archeological specimens, as well as ethnographic materials and photographs are on exhibit. Many of the specimens have been collected by the professors and students of the university during various expeditions. In addition, two yurts have been erected in the courtyard of the History building. One of them is Mongolian, from the time of Genghis Khan; the other is a traditional Tuvan yurt with household objects and utensils. The management of TyvGU and the senior professors became the first visitors to the museum.