The cult of ancestors, that is, the worship of deceased ancestors or simply relatives, is characteristic of many nationalities and tribes. Since ancient times, people have believed that the spirits of their ancestors take an active part in their lives.
Burial of ancestors
In Russia, it was believed that deceased relatives help their families, protecting their members from the harmful influence of evil forces. However, spirits could harm, damage and simply interfere with the living in every possible way. In order to prevent this from happening, the deceased should have been buried as expected.
The verb “to bury” itself originally meant “to hide”. The bodies of deceased relatives had to be hidden so that they could not return back. This was especially true of the so-called "unclean" dead: sinners, suicides, drunkards, and after the adoption of Christianity and unbaptized babies. So the graves of those who left this life on their own were laid with stones so that the dead could not get out. People believed that it was suicides who sent drought and disease to livestock on the earth.
However, the dead were buried not only in the cemetery or near the house. Often this happened right in the home. For example, in the event of the death of a clan elder, his body was buried in the most honorable place in the house, and the owners went to live in another place. The "unclean" newborns were buried under the threshold, since the way to the cemetery was closed to them. That is why in Russia it was not allowed to step on the threshold, but only to carefully step over it.
The funeral boat sometimes served as a coffin for the deceased. The boat, together with the deceased placed in it, was burned, and a mound was poured on the site of the fire.
In general, until the end of the 1st millennium AD. e. the Slavs mostly burned the dead. Their ashes were placed in special vessels, which were placed on roadside posts. Apparently, this was done so that the souls of the dead would quickly leave on the way to another world and find peace.
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Ancestral spirits
One of the personifications of the revered ancestor can be considered the image of the Brownie. The brownie guarded the house and was in charge of the household. Although sometimes he could be mischievous. It was in order to butter up the brownie that, for example, they left food for him behind the stove.
Chur or Schur was considered the patron saint of the clan. Hence the word "ancestor" came from. Chura was often called for help in difficult situations, exclaiming: "Chur me!"
Thanks to archaeological excavations, idols or idols carved from wood were also found, which were cult images of ancestors. They were revered, asked for their help and even fed. Basically, it was ceremonial food - porridge and bread.
In general, Russians have always treated deceased ancestors as if they were alive. For example, in cemeteries, bonfires were made so that the dead would be warmed up, and food was left on the graves so that they were satisfied. On certain days, the ancestors could even visit their relatives. So the next week after Easter was just that time. For the deceased, a table was laid and a bathhouse was heated, where they were sure to leave towels and clean underwear for them.
The belief in the afterlife and the strength of the relatives who had gone there had such an impact that in difficult times one of the old people was voluntarily sent to another world. An elderly man was put in a sleigh and taken far from home, where he was left to die of hunger and cold. The suicide bomber was given the task of helping the living from the afterlife.
Echoes of a cult
Today, echoes of the cult of ancestors can be discerned in some rituals. For example, on Christmastide, one of the main dishes on the table is kutia, which is known primarily as a memorial dish. And in the Orthodox calendar, you can find several so-called parental Saturdays - special days of remembrance of the dead.