Modern Beliefs of the Karakalpaks Concerning the Tradition of Ancestor Veneration

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2019-48-4/149-161

Abstract

The ancestor worship is one of the most enduring traditions among the Karakalpaks and is still practiced today in many Karakalpak clans. This phenomenon is an important part of the culture, extending beyond the boundaries of a particular religion or complex of beliefs. The ancestor veneration is based on the notion that the human spirit continues to exist after death and is able to influence lives of the living. In the modern spiritual life of the Karakalpak people, the cult of their ancestors is preserved not only among the older generation, but also among young people who are actively involved in celebratory rituals. However, individual traditions and rituals associated with animistic beliefs, in particular with the veneration of ancestors, have transformed in recent decades. According to the collected information, globalization, urbanization processes and changes in the socio-economic life of the society are responsible for these changes

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