HOLY MOUNTAIN

At the end of the tenth century, the Mari people founded the fortress of Kukarka on the river Vyatka in the land of their ancient forefathers. It was from this stronghold that the chieftain Tshumbylat reigned. A figure is much loved and respected by his people, he was buried at the foot of the mountain after his death and declared to be a god. Even now people come to pray so that the mountain god might protect them against their bloodthirsty enemies and bring them peace and blessings. It is said that this “Holy Mountain“, which reaches up to the very heavens, is the dwelling place of Kugo Jumo, the king of the gods. Film shootings took place in Yoshkar- Ola and in village Kuchykenger of Republic Mari El in 1999- author expresses a sincere gratitude to a pagan priest Aleksei Yakimov and Igor Ivanov, also to the head of Mari Society Nikandr Popov. The film was supported by Estonian Film Foundation and Estonian Culture Society.