SPIRIT

Ayurveda trails are dedicated to everyone, who is searching answers to these questions. It does not want to be anything else, but art expression of healthy life style inspired by Indian ancient healing traditions, creating harmony with the dynamics of contemporary life.

TRAVEL WITH US

STORY |
A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice

Message: Trying to get property 'slug' of non-object

Filename: front_end/article.php

Line Number: 982

Backtrace:

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/application/views/front_end/article.php
Line: 982
Function: _error_handler

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/application/controllers/Article.php
Line: 157
Function: view

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/index.php
Line: 317
Function: require_once

https://www.ayurvedajournals.com/category/">

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Notice

Message: Trying to get property 'category_name' of non-object

Filename: front_end/article.php

Line Number: 983

Backtrace:

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/application/views/front_end/article.php
Line: 983
Function: _error_handler

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/application/controllers/Article.php
Line: 157
Function: view

File: /home2/ayurveda/public_html/index.php
Line: 317
Function: require_once

05: Trees in Circassian Mythology

ZAINA EL-SAID

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN TREES SPOKE...

Mythology is a reflection of the people’s soul, and unlike common belief that they are fantastical stories, myths carry the core of the ancient world, safeguarding profound information, which relate human and world progression through the ages. Myths and fables enclose much of the Circassians ancient history and the essence of their belief system. It serves as a warden of their ancestral way of life, and they can be regarded as the fountain head and column of Circassian culture. To the native Circassians, myths were not just verbal anecdotes narrated for amusement from time to time.

RIGHT:
Mythology is a reflection of the people’s soul...

ABOVE:
Mythology is a reflection of the people’s soul...

The group of heroes, gods and goddesses known as the Narts entwined with their daily lives. Oaths and pledges were sworn by Nart characters such as Sosriqwe and Lady Seteney, and up until the recent past when one of the Nart hero’s names was mentioned, the people stood in reverence. It is noteworthy to mention that these myths can also be viewed from two different eras:

The antique view where trees were regarded as subjects with their own identity.
The relatively contemporary view where trees remained a subject, however became endowed with human characteristics. This view may have developed and been affixed to the Circassian mythology during the soviet era, in order to match the global myth structure, such as the ancient Greeks.

The Cycles of Nart sagas can be adequately regarded as the equal of the Norse myths to the Scandinavians and the Greek and Roman myths. They are estimated to go back as far as 800 B.C. Within the layers of myths, laments and poems that Nart sagas enclose a substantial revelation of tree veneration amongst the ancient Circassians.

RIGHT:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

ABOVE:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

Nart heroes are said to descend into dungeons through trunks of giant oak trees which connected them to the underworld. Trees acted as guides to Narts who lost their way during raids and missions, and acted as guides to solve riddles and problems when they sat under their shade (Shorten, A. 1988, p.50).

Trees spoke to the Narts and also convened with them, as in the story of the God of Forge Lhpesch who coupled with the Lady Tree and their union gave birth to the Milky Way. In one of the narratives of Nart Aschemez, there was a colossal oak tree in which a thousand sheep can fit under its shade (Shorten, A. 1988, p.58).

The Narts Golden Tree gave apples which were half red and half white that granted children to infertile women, as well as wisdom and eternal youth. Tree leafs contained healing and resurrecting powers as in the anecdote of Nart Sosriqwe who wiped tree leafs on the body of his dead beloved, to only bring her back to life. The myth of Narts Golden Tree relates that the apples of this trees endowed eternal youth, and the lady of the Narts, Seteney, used to consume these apple to sustain her youth and wisdom. Until the Narts enemy, a brute known as Eiminezch deliberately cut this magical tree, which resulted in the mortality of the Nart race (Mizhaev, M. Pashti, M. 2012, p.26).

RIGHT:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

ABOVE:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

Tree summits represents the goodness and wealth of the earth, as in numerous myths accounts such the account of Sosriqwe’s Downfall (Hedeghel’e, I968, Vol II, p. 277).

Folktales additionally relate significant information of tree sacredness. A famous anecdote to verify the importance of trees, which took place during the Russo-Circassian wars relates that: in 1841 Russian troops under the command of General G.X Zass raided an area where the sacred forest of Dzhemtlokh was located. The highlanders fiercely defended the forest, and fought with great fury to protect the sacred groves and trees, resulting in the defeat of the Tsarist troops and the injury of General Zass. The Circassian troops greatly rejoiced, and trusted that T-he (God) himself punished Zass for the insane act of attacking a holy place (Shorten, A.1988 p.45).

Another anecdote is the account of Henau, the forest warden:

RIGHT:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

ABOVE:
Zaina El-Said, Collection of Collage Arts

“It is been said that the Circassians' ancestors adored the trees and forests. According to their inherited belief, it was a deplorable taboo to harm or cut trees, given that they are an essential component of sacredness. It was believed that if a single branch were cut, it would cause death to its doer. If a tree was cut from a forest, it will bring death to the family of the doer. And if a whole forest was cut down, it will be the cause of a whole nation's extinction. Hence, they venerated their forests and performed special rituals towards trees. Henau is Circassian a saint, and it is told that he was buried in these sacred forests. His spirit is believed it roamed around the trees warding off any harm. One day, a group of people decided to discount their ancestors' bequest and cut down a large territory of the 'Hetses' trees in the 'T-hemaxe' forest for utilization purposes. When that happened, an elderly Adige man professed that saint Henau appeared to him in his dream pleading to stop destroying the forests. Henau also said if the tree destruction continues a great tragedy will propel onto the Circassian nation and land. In September I863, when the Russian forces led by Count Elston-Sumarokov marched into Circassian territory, they plunged into T-hemaxe forest and built surveillance towers where the trees already been cut. Much tragedy and death followed that. Hence, the Circassians could not help but trust the words of Henau, which eventually set to reality following the mass departure of the Circassians in I864, in which half of the nation had forcefully deported into foreign lands”.

—
06: THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE >>

TAGS: TREES BY ZAINA EL SAID ZAINA EL SAID RITUALS MYTH & LEGENDS MYTHOLOGY TREES ART STORY

TRAVEL WITH US

AUTHOR & ARTIST

ZAINA EL-SAID

Zaina’s collage art focuses on assembling many worlds into one, usually led by a protagonist; she focuses on mixing world cultures, architecture, motifs, archaeology, arts and nature into a single portrait.

AUTHOR

BEABARS APPESH

Tree veneration is the essence of the Circassian way of life and Circassiansm, and it was the turning point which transformed the primitive human, into one with understanding and appreciation towards nature and his relation to it.

STUDY

AYURVEDA

SPIRIT

STORY

STYLE

TRAVEL

WHAT IS AYURVEDA

WHO TO MEET

WHERE TO GO

WHERE TO STAY

HEALING

AYURVEDA & YOGA FOR YOU

AYURVEDA & YOGA RETREAT

AYURVEDA & YOGA TRAILS

AYURVEDA & YOGA RESORTS

COMMUNITY

TERMS & CONDITION

PRIVACY & SECURITY

AFFIALITE & PROGRAMME

COMPANY

ABOUT US

SYNDICATON

AYURVEDA FUND

NEWSLETTER

MOST READ ARTICLES

VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA

AYURVEDA TRAILS

The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.

10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT

AYURVEDA TRAILS

Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.

ART & AYURVEDA LIFESTYLE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.

NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.

ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala

AYURVEDA TRAILS

Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.

SADHYA
THE ONAM FEAST

AYURVEDA TRAILS

The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.

MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.

MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.

SOMATHEERAM AYURVEDA VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

SOMATHEERAM - 01: BABY MATHEW

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?

CLIFF VIEW AYURVEDA RETREAT

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.

HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.

NEVERTHELESS REWIND

ATHEENA WILSON

I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!

CGH EARTH
SWASWARA

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.

SPROUTED GREEN GRAM SALAD

GITA RAMESH

Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.

KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.