Photos of A Ceremony

The following are photos from my research on young shamans in Ulaanbaatar. All photographs are with permission for publication.  

The shaman prepares his ritual items and costume

An attendant helps the shaman put on his costume, which weighs between 40 and 50 kg (88-110 lbs)

The shaman prepares one of his many protective mirrors that he will wear while calling spirits

Preparing the drum 

The shaman, now in full regalia, calls the spirits into the sacred area (but not his body) while an attendant burns "ganga" or wild mountain thyme

The shaman now wears the maihavch (mask/head dress) and drums over his head to call the spirit into his body.  His attendant braces him and the movement at the moment the spirit enters is very uncontrolled.

Grandfather Spirit dispenses advice to the general attendees. A mat is laid in front of him for individual consultation.

Grandfather leans forward to address a particular person

The same shaman, now possessed by Grandmother Spirit (and wearing a different maihavch) privately consults an ill attendee (cropped for privacy)