The fulfilment of the white way

(This is a rare article written by my wife Melody!)

The Shamanism in the Altai is different from the Shamanism in the rest of Siberia. You could say in some ways it is more complete or even "fulfilled". Let me explain. 

Aidin, an Altai brother in Christ led us on a tour through their national museum in Gorno- Altaisk, which is by the way an excellent museum. Like many other museums I have been, to this one included a Shaman's room with a drum and Shaman's costumes with descriptions of the practices and beliefs, and as I have come to expect but not believe, referring to Shamanism as a historic belief system that used to be practiced in Siberia. 

The first Shaman depicted in the room was the same as I am familiar with from other Siberian people groups (Evenki and others).  This is the Shaman that intercedes and makes bargains with the local spirits for the sake of the community.  In the Altai, this Shaman is called the "blood Shaman".  Aidin told me that this Shamanism is very much alive in his homeland, he told me that one of the girls he went to school with is now a practicing blood Shaman, and when needed she can arrange for the substitutional death of one person for the healing of another.  This is within a blood Shaman's power, and it is a very real spiritual truth - this is exactly what God did for us by sending his Son. Shamans of this category plead and bargain with demons operating in the dark spiritual realities of what life is like without knowledge of God's redemption. 

But in the Altai at least this is not the whole story. We moved further into the Shaman's room and I encountered the "white Shaman".  In 1904, in response to the arrival of Russian Orthodox missionaries and the encroachment of Buddhism from the east the Altai people converted en masse to the "white way". This was not an outside taught religion, but something that formed from deep within their own spiritual world view. The white way was a search for a pure life that would please the One True Creator God. Aidin described it as very similar to the old testament covenant.  But, in opposition to the practices of the blood shamans the followers of the white way made offerings of milk not blood.  The white way was also a Messianic religion. The priests of the white way taught and anticipated the arrival of a man dressed in white coming on a white horse who would be their saviour. 

In the same room of the museum there is also a third category of Altai Shaman- the musicians.  Aidin told me, "when this Shaman speaks the other two are silent". And they are much more than just musicians, they are story tellers, historians, orators, recounting the history and culture of the Altai people, and they are worship leaders, leading the people in worship to God.  Once every 4 years there is a festival when one musician is chosen to tell "the story", which is an epic that goes on for 7 days!  This form of Shamanism is recognised in the museum as still being active in the Altai. There on the wall among the others is a picture of our host, Aidin, in his role as musican, (or literally a worship shaman). At the last festival Aidin performed songs with text from the Psalms.  He has also written an epic song in the Altai style that retells the big picture story of God, from creation to Christ. 

There is a movement of Christ happening among the believers in Altai right now. It is led by worship leaders like Aidin who see Jesus as the answer and fulfilment of all of the expectations and needs of the Altai people. Jesus is their redemption fulfilling the "life for a life" bargain of blood Shamanism, and He is their messiah and sanctification anticipated by the white Shamans.  This movement is spreading fast and many are coming to Jesus.