Mordva Mythology

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, CHAKCHAK Foundation presented Mordva Mythology, the final spring installment of the Hidden Mythologies of the Volga and Ural Region lecture series. Dr. Golshat Safiullina explored the prominent role of female deities in traditional Mordvin beliefs, introducing the audience to a pantheon of powerful ava, or “mother,” figures associated with the natural world. These included Vir-ava, mother of the forest; Varma-ava, mother of the wind; Norov-ava, mother of the harvest and farming; Tol-ava, mother of fire; Ved-ava, mother of water; and Komlya-ava, mother of hops.

The program concluded with a musical performance featuring traditional folk songs by drummer and vocalist Daryana Antipova, along with fugues by young Mordva composers Tatiana Kezina and Polina Ushanova, performed by Dr. Inna Moiseeva (piano) of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.