Altai Dzhang Initiative Group
This initiative group was established during the Perestroika period (1990-1995) when it became possible once again to self-identify as a people with a distinct culture. During its existence, this group has focused on gathering and publishing information about traditional culture. The group’s first significant publication is “Altai Dzhang” (“Altaian Custom”), a book published in 1996. The group’s composition has changed over time, but its core members have been quite loyal. They are scientific-minded people and represent the first wave of indigenous-minded intelligentsia. The group persists without strongly defined leaders and operates on the basis of “collective” consciousness according to the “wolf pack” principle. The wolf is a totem animal for the Altaian people as a whole.
The goal of this initiative is to revive the tradition of making stone sculptures and their traditional installation in sacred places. In doing so, we will familiarize the rising generation of Altaians with our people’s values and set an example for the worship of our native valley and homeland for visitors.
During the main work of the initiative, two main works took place: installation of the “Stone Knight” at the base of Mount Mezhelik and a Spirit-Protector sculpture in the combined form of Mother Nature and the Spirit of Children who survived thanks to their solidarity with Nature. The largest, most labor-intensive, and significant work culminated in the 29 April installation of the Spirit-Protector monument in the sacred Karakol Valley. This spirit is known as “Örkö”. Design and carving took place between September 2016 and March 2017. Although the sculpture’s planning and preparation involved initiative directors and implementers, the final stage that occurred in March-April 2017 comprehensively engaged valley residents in the sculpture’s installation. During this phase, we used mass media resources (Altaian-language newspapers, radio, etc.) to tell people about the accomplishment of a long-ago dream and idea for several generations of Altaian – erecting a memorial symbol of gratitude for the small suslik ground squirrel that saved Altaians from hunger more than once, especially during hard times in the 20th century.
