Kamchatka's Itelmens celebrating Alkhalalalai - Nature Thankgiving Day. This ancient fall feast is connected with the ending of summer and autumn work of the Kamchatka indigenous population. Those who mark it not only thank the forests and riverts but also beg forgiveness from the spirits of dead animals for having to kill them. The ceremony includes the rite of purification (when all those present pass through hoops of birch sticks) and installation of a wooden idol (in the picture).
- Categories: Lifestyle & Leisure, Religion & Belief
- Location: Kamchatka Region, Russia
- Event date: 29.09.2007
- Date published: 30.09.2007
- Author: Alexander Petrov
- Credit: Sputnik
- Source: Sputnik
- Original: Digital
- Media: JPEG, 3000x2008px, 903Kb