Outside the borders of one’s land: The practice of commemorating the dead who died abroad in Udmurt culture

Abstract

This article investigates, using the example of Udmurt culture, the rituals and customs connected with people who have died far from their homes, or who have been buried abroad. It emphasizes the importance of commemorating the dead in Udmurt culture, where dying abroad is seen as anomalous and breaks the ties between the dead and his or her homeland. In such cases, in order to restore these ties, the Udmurt have special rituals, including ritual burial, commemorative rites and sacrifices. This article analyses different aspects of commemorative practices, such as the setting of cenotaphs (symbolical graves) and the use of particular commemorative places for those who died far from home, the organization of rituals in different ritual loci, and dates in the folk calendar, as well as addresses to the dead at these times. It shows how these practices reflect a deep concern for the dead, and the attempt to guarantee their souls a quiet transfer into the ancestors’ world. Particular attention is paid to those who died in war or have disappeared, and to how ritual practice allows these people to remain in the memory and collective awareness of the community. Based on the long-term fieldwork in the southern districts of the Udmurt Republic as well as in neighboring regions (Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan), the article analyzes the cultural transformation of rituals and their contemporary state, highlighting changes influenced by historical events, such as world wars, and the impact of Orthodox traditions. It aims to introduce new material into academic discourse and primarily serves as a description of cultural processes related to this topic. It offers a fresh perspective on the understudied aspect of the Udmurt ancestor cult and reveals the crucial role of these rituals in maintaining the cultural and spiritual identity of the Udmurt people in a changing world.