Mari Mythology

On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, CHAKCHAK Foundation presented Mari Mythology, the second installment of the Hidden Mythology of the Volga and Ural Region lecture series. The event began with a lecture by Dr. Gulshat Safiullina on the cosmogonic myths and spiritual practices of the Mari people, including the legendary emergence of the world from a duck’s egg, Kugu Yumo (the Great White God), Shochyn-Ava (the fertility goddess) and küsoto (traditional rituals performed in sacred groves). Following the lecture, Dr. Inna Moiseeva and Ophir Dahari of the IU Jacob’s School of Music performed Mari-inspired pieces by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.