In Kamchatka, Russia, celebrated the Koryak ritual holiday "Khololo"

"Khololo" is celebrated at the end of autumn, when the Koryaks' fishing season ends. This is a holiday of Nymylan hunters - coastal Koryaks. They thank the gods for successful hunting and fishing. With the help of rituals, the Koryaks send off the souls of the seals, which they took to themselves for food or clothing, to their world.

A big celebration is held so that, upon returning to their world, the souls of the seals tell how joyfully they were sent off and how well they were fed at the holiday. It is believed that after such a "farewell", the seal will return to Kamchatka waters next summer.

This year, according to tradition, ritual dishes were prepared at the holiday, thanksgiving rituals, "farewell" of the seal, tug-of-war with a tallytal - a spinner, and games were held. The concert program featured national groups: the folk youth ensemble "Koritev", the student "Uikoal" and the folk group "Rekinnikovskie Devchata".

Visitors to the ethno-venue "Zemlya Kutkha", where the festival was held, could sit by the fire in traditional Koryak dwellings - yarangas, play the tambourines. Guests were treated to seal soup, flatbreads and aromatic tea.

Recall that since 2010, "Khololo", along with the Itelmen "Alkhalalalai" and the Even "Nurgenek", has been an official holiday of the Kamchatka Territory. Traditionally, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky it was held on November 4 - the Day of National Unity. But now Kamchatka holidays are being pushed further to the outskirts.

Photos: kamchatinfo.com

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