NAMASTE!

© ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

story   |  KERALA TRAILS

Fishermen Rituals In Kerala I.

AYURVEDA TRAILS

Fisherfolk in Kerala come from three different religious groups, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Each of the groups has its own social organisation and mostly occupies separate places in a typical fishing village, although they do share some commonalties.

© BIJU IBRAHIM

story   |  MOON LIGHT BY BIJU IBRAHIM

Bhakti | Moon Light

BIJU IBRAHIM

Moon Light is an exclusive video column by Biju Ibrahim, in which he shares a slice of his journeys and experiences as moving image anecdotes. Bhakti was shot in Tiruvannamalai, an ancient nature worship town situated in Tamil Nadu.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

01: Trees

ZAINA EL-SAID

Trees stand as a magnificent reminder of one of God’s infinite masterpieces, they are like the silent observers of time, wordlessly conversing with life as eons go by. Trees can be regarded as the wardens of earth, unconditionally giving life, sustenance and shelter.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

02: Circassian’s Belief System

ZAINA EL-SAID

Since time immemorial, the Circassian native tribes did not follow a script or a holy book, nor erected praying temples, but rather, they have formed an unwritten philosophy based on their collective outlook on life, and worshiped in the arms of nature.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

03: Associated Tree Deities

ZAINA EL-SAID

Deities associated with sacred forests transformed and evolved according to different historical eras. It is believed that the main original forest deity was Mezguasche (Forest-lady). Mezguasche was responsible for the forest and fauna.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

04: Tree Rites, Rituals & Letter ‘T’

ZAINA EL-SAID

Trees acted as shrines parallel to temples, and as mentioned previously, the native Circassians believed that prayers and holy events must be conducted in nature where no human trace of building or human planting or agriculture was found.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

05: Trees in Circassian Mythology

ZAINA EL-SAID

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.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

06: Trees & Eco System

ZAINA EL-SAID

What we now refer to as ‘ecology’ and an 'eco life system' was once a habitual lifestyle of various world indigenous cultures, and amongst the native Circassians, up until half of the 19th century, this structure was the standard archetype system.

© ZAINA EL-SAID

story   |  THE TREE VENERATION IN THE CIRCASSIAN CULTURE

07: Tree Veneration of Circassians (Conclusions)

ZAINA EL-SAID

It is evident that tree veneration has accompanied the Circassians since ancient times, and holds one of the most important roles in the animistic view amongst the Circassians. The cult of trees has persisted up until the late 19th century.

© ANANDU RADHAKRISHNAN

story   |  THEYYAM TALES

THEYYAM: The Legend of Kelan

ANANDU RADHAKRISHNAN

The Theyyam dancer’s dark black mystic eyes are emphasised by the deep bloody red color of his face. The light of the fire reflects on his bare chest decorated by the drawing of two snakes. He is ready to jump into the fire and narrator is telling his story.

© ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

story   |  RAJASTHAN TRAILS

RANAKPUR JAIN TEMPLE: 1444 Pillars & 108 Snakes

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Nestled in a valley amongst the Aravalli Hills, Ranakpur Temple dates to the 15th century. Local legend holds that construction began in 1437 following a divine vision received by Dharna Shah, a local Jain business person.

© ROHIT SINGH

story   |  FESTIVALS & EVENTS

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.

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