A man ties up a ritual ribbon to obo on the top of the Karatyurek Pass. Mt Belukha, Altai, Siberia, Russia
Almost every mountain pass in Altai is “decorated” with white flying ribbons. These ribbons are tied up on trees branches or on the tops of stone pyramids (oboo tash). This is a heathen rite of worshipping the spirit of Altai - Altaidyn Eezi. The ritual is called kaira or dyalama (yalama). In Altaic creation myths the world is depicted as divided into three spheres - the Heaven, the Earth, and the Underground. The tree with ribbons tied up to it serves as a bridge between the three worlds. The tree branches stretch upwards to the realm of gods, the trunk is firm on the earth where man dwells, and its roots go underground to the world of spirits. Ribbons can be tied up only on the eastern side of the birch, larch, and Siberian pine and only to trees that grow in particular places. These places are mountain passes, springs (arzhans), and places where the juniper (archyn) grows. Dyalama symbolizes thankfulness to nature and to the spirit of Altai. It also means to bring welfare to a traveler. Mt Belukha (4,506 m) is the highest mountain in Siberia and Altai. It is situated in the Katun Ridge on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan. The meaning of name “Belukha” is related to the great amount of snow on its slopes and to white clouds that often wrap its peak. The mountain has also other names - Kadyn-Bazhi (Peak of the Katun), Uch-Sumer (Sanctuary of Gods), Mus-Tuu (Ice Mountain), Ak-Syuru (One with White Water), Uch-Airy (Mountain with Three Divisions). In 1998 Belukha was entered into the list of Universal Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. The first people who climbed the peak of Belukha were brothers Michael and Boris Tronov. The reached the summit of Belukha in 1914.
Size: 9926px × 3701px
Location: Belukha Mount Karatyurek Pass Altai Altay Siberia Russia Siberian Russian Federation Katun Ridge
Photo credit: © Pavel Filatov / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: Yes
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