CULT UMAI-ENE AMONG THE KYRGYZ

Abstract

Umai is an ancient female deity of the Turkic peoples, who occupied the second place after Tengri. She is still known among the modern Turkic peoples, such as Kyrgyz, Khakas, Altai and Bashkirs. She was a specially honored female deity of the earth for good spirit, pregnant women and as patron of children. Before birth, in order to protect the mother and the baby, Umai stood at the entrance on the left side of the Yurt, which was considered clean. The personification of the female principle is reflected in the very name of Umai, which means the mother’s womb, uterus and also cutting the umbilical cord. In honor of Umai at the front corner of the Yurt her doll was hung made of blue cloth together with other images. If the child was sick, she was fed with gruel. Infants and babies at lullaby age were under her special protection. It was on the Cradle on which she rocked, and then it was kept up until the child was six years old and able to stand on his feet. It depended on the life and health of the child, because she was protecting her/him from evil forces and spirits.