Tuva.Asia / The New Research of Tuva

In the issue one can read a topical analytical article on what we should mean by “Tuvan studies” as a whole. Several articles — spick-and-span new — were written in accordance with the findings in the results of sociological studies that had been conducted by fellows of the Tuvan Institute for Research in the Humanities under the Government of the Republic of Tyva and the Tuvan Institute for Complex Natural Resources Development of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. There are four new authors of the magazine who work at the latter institute. The readers may find out about some Tuvan scholars’ investigations on the economic culture of the population of Tuva, social dispositions today, and condition of the Tuvan language and Tuvan book publishing. There are also some interesting works on contemporary funeral rituals of the inhabitants of the Republic, problems of studies on musical culture of nomadic nations. The issue is full of different kinds of information: reviews of large-size scientific Russian forums, presentations, and significant events. The size of the pdf version of the issue is 390 pages.

The most illustrious shamaness Ai-Churek has left us, departed for another world…

The life of a shaman is an endless struggle. Shamans, just like fighters in the ring are always in a fighting frame of mind in their spirit, but in contrast to athletes, who fight only in the ring, the Shamans Fight for Life and Strong Blood, and their Fight lasts their Whole Life on Earth and Afterwards…

The Tuvans say that the gods take those whom they especially like to themselves…

That is probably why shamans’ lives are not long and not many of them live until old age.

But their short lives in this world are filled with stormy events and powerful encounters with terrible spirits, and every ceremony of kamlanie is in its way a duel with spirits invisible to the eyes of ordinary people.

In 2010 in Tuva, in connection with the year of Tourism, an action to determine the “Nine Treasures” of Tuva is in process.  Tuvan “Charash-Tash” was nominated as one of the candidates for this title - a flat, roundish stone, which, according to local people grows out of the earth somewhere in the vicinity of Upper Shui in South-West Tuva. Many local legends are associated with “Charash-Tash; it is believed that a visit to this place brings luck. In August of 2010, the Ubsunur International Center, Senior scientific worker Tatiana Prudnikova, and  workers of V.V. Dokuchayev Soil institute, G. Chernousenko and D. Rukhovich, performed a scientific research expedition to the south-west part of Khemchik valley at Upper Shui, to study the “Charash-Tash and to determine its nature.

The head of Tuva Sholban Kara-ool announced the appointment of a new vice-premier of the government in the matters of development of informational communications. The adviser to the head of the region, editor-in-chief of IA “Tuvaonline” Dina Oyun will be appointed to this office; she will take up the task of realization of the program of adoption of “electronic government” in the republic, as well as of matters of development of informational politics. The head of the region Sholban Kara-ool emphasized that the task of developing an informational society, set by President of Russia, is becoming more relevant every day.

“”To establish “electronic government” in Tuva is not a simple task, - noted the Premier. - But we are obligated to realize this program and to secure easy access to information for our citizens; it is one of the most significant attributes of democratic development of the society.”

On November 21, one of the strongest Tuvan shamanesses, Ai-Churek (Moon Heart) passed away in Kyzyl; she was the head of organization of Tuvan shamans “Tos Deer” (Nine Heavens). In the words of one of the members of association “Dungur” (Drum), “Ai-Churek was called by the spirits.” in her opinion, that is also the cause of death. Officially  physicians determined the cause of death as a heart attack. Special funeral ritual is planned fro November 26. “The strongest shamans will gather and perform a mystery”,  as  “Dungur” announced.

Ai-Churek Shiizhekovna Oyun was born on august 15 1963 near river Tes in  “Tos Bazyryk” (nine kurgans), at the foot of Mt. Ak-Bedik. Shamanic roots can be traced in both her paternal and maternal lineages.