Metal Detecting In Siberia - Trip To Manzurka (Story 9)
Visiting A Sacred Ritual Place
Frankly, I was excited to see just everything en route because of the area's ethnic and cultural diversity. Even though the historical events of the Russian Empire's expansion did not start taking place until the mid-16th century, a few ancient great trade routes passed through the region populated with Buryats, Mongols, Chineese, and other ethnic groups.
We were traveling right on one of those routes, now a modern highway, along which there were some historical spots. We stopped at one of the Buryat's sacred sites, a spiritual place, at which various rituals were conducted in the past.
Now the site had been frequently visited by the wedding parties. According to the old tradition, the newly weds would have to stand in front of the altar poles, say a prayer, and leave a symbolic gift, usually a handful of coins, at the altar. That would bring them good luck and happiness into their marriage.
A Wedding Party Stopped By To Perform A Ritual
We still had a long journey ahead of us.
A Quick Stop on a Deserted Highway...
...To Take This Picture
