Uacilla: An Integrative Approach to the Conflicting Interpretations of the Sacred Ossetian Character

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2025-4/125-135

Authors

  • Sultana Ktsoeva the North Ossetian Institute for Humanitarian and Social Research named after V. I. Abaev — Branch of the Federal Scientific Center "Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences" https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1221-2820

Keywords:

ethnic religion of Ossetians, Uatsilla, integrative approach to study, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Abstract

The article is devoted to Uacilla, a sacred character of the Ossetian ethnoreligious pantheon, which has been studied many times before, but always within a separate approach, which resulted in significant conflict of interpretations. The article examines the main historiographical approaches to the study of both the Ossetian ethnic religion in general and Uacilla in particular. Thus, a cross-comparative analysis of the image and cult of Uacilla was undertaken within an integrative approach, which allows us to ultimately abandon one-sided categorical interpretations of Uacilla's origins and essential characteristics, making it accessible for multidimensional perception. An important aspect of the study is the analysis of possible Islamic influences on the image and cult of Uacilla, since the first time such an analysis has been conducted in Ossetian studies. Previous interpretations have included Iranian, autochthonous Caucasian, Christian, and Jewish influences.

Author Biography

  • Sultana Ktsoeva, the North Ossetian Institute for Humanitarian and Social Research named after V. I. Abaev — Branch of the Federal Scientific Center "Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences"

    Ktsoeva, Sultana G. — Dr. of History, Leading Researcher, the North Ossetian Institute for Humanitarian and Social Research named after V. I. Abaev — Branch of the Federal Scientific Center "Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences" (Vladikavkaz, Russian Federation). E-mail: sultana_t@mail.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1221-2820

    For citation: Ktsoeva, S. G. 2025. Uacilla: An Integrative Approach to the Conflicting Interpretations of the Sacred Ossetian Character. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik Antropologii) 4: 125–135.

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Published

14.12.2025

Issue

No. 4 (2025): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

The Anthropology of Religion