Siberian ‘medicine men’ are being investigated after five camels were slaughtered in a sacrificial rite – intended to make Russia and its people stronger.
The animals were burned on a pyre in an ritual called Zhen Tengeri Yaba, which is said to be held only once every 300 years.
Around 12 shamans – or medicine men – who claim to be able to influence good and evil spirits carried out the slaughter in Angarsk.
Shocking film of the event in which participants – believed to be ethnic Buryats – are seen beating shaman drums has caused an outcry.
The slaughter by slitting the animals’ throats has divided opinion among shamans who remain prominent in some regions of Siberia.
Critics dubbed the camel sacrifice “barbarian”.
But Artur Tsybikov, called the deputy chief shaman of Russia, said: “We – Buryats – believe that the camel is the highest sacral animal.
“Why five? It happens that number five in our divination is believed to be a perfect outcome.”
He conducted the ritual “with a clear heart and soul” to help save Russia and its people, he said.
While cattle and horses are sacrificed this rite had not been conducted since the early 1700s, he claimed.
“Many of the younger generation do not even know about this rite, as it is very rare,” he said.
“We have already achieved the result – people, having watched the video on the Internet and reading the comments, pour out their negative energy, and we accept it, so making people happier.”
But another shaman leader said: “This is naturally barbarian.
“We completely reject the rituals that are made with animals.
“The camel is a sacral animal for the Buryat people, but we never sacrifice it.
‘This is neo-shamanism. They are breaking all canons.”
One comment said: “This is demonism.”
Another: “I hope these barbarians will be held liable for cruelty against animals.”
Others said that under Buryatian traditions camels should never be sacrificed.
‘The camel and ox are esteemed and never sacrificed,” said a critic.
The Angarsk state prosecutor’s office confirmed it was urgently checking the details of the sacrifice.
Legal action could follow against the organisers.
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