In Sylva there is an interesting Mari rite of expelling the evil spirit (Syrem
uzho) from the village. People gathered near the village, made campfire and
jumped over it. Then with noise, shouting and rattles all of them passed from
house to house, asking the owner about troubles and grieves. The building and
the host were "whipped" with branches of juniper, rose hips, or thistle.
This ritual ended at the opposite side of the village.
People asked their God (Shukcho) to protect them from evil spirits, to give
a good harvest and health.
The full text of the article about the Expulsion of Evil Spirits read in the
journal Welcome to Perm on
