Historic Digoria region, North Ossetia-Alania Digoria is a historical region in the northern part of the Great Caucasus Mountains, compromised of today’s Irafsky and Digorsky districts in North Ossetia-Alania. The name originates from Digor people (an Ossetian subgroup). The Digor people are predominantly Sunni-Muslims. The Digor were deported together by Stalin with many other Muslim ethnicities of North Caucasus. Many died during deportation; the survivors returned after Stalin’s death in 1957. Alania national park occupies half of the territory of Digoria. Digoria has the second largest glacier in the North Caucasus – Karaugomsky. Having been place of an ancient trade route, one can still find remains of multi-towered cave based fortress, the temple of Saint George built in 17th century and sanctuaries. * George – the heavenly warrior, patron and protector of warriors was highly revered in the ancient Ossetian land; his local name is “Wasgergi”. Ossetians practiced a pagan religion, which is believed to be of Sarmatian origin; some pagan gods slowly transcended into Christian saints. Today, Ætsæg Din (Etseg Din) is the modern organized revival of the Ossetian native religion, which is still being practiced in many parts of Ossetia. Christianity Christianity was introduced in the beginning of the 10th century through Georgian missionaries, who inserted Christianity throughout the Caucasus. However, the brutal Mongol invasion of the 13 century brought a striking blow to the local communities. Many reverted to Paganism (ingush, chechens) and it is believed many Ossetians as well returned to their old Pagan beliefs. South Ossetians, who were under the direct influence of Georgians, were Christianized earlier. Islam In 17-18 centuries centuries, the Digor people – an Ossetian subgroup came under influence of Kabarday and so were converted to Islam. During Word War two, the Digors were deported by Stalin, as were most Muslim communities in the Caucasus (Chechen, Ingush, Balkars, Karachay). Russian conquest After the Russian conquest of the Caucasus in the 19 century, Ossetians fell under the influence of the Russian Orthodox church and many were converted to Orthodox Christianity. However, ancient folk traditions and faiths remain in the Ossetian community – the veneration of non-Christian saints is still practiced today especially in rural areas; the pagan religious groups are linked to Aetseg Din community. Today, Ætsæg Din (Etseg Din) is the modern organized revival of the Ossetian native religion. ◊ Ossetian pagan godly spirits include: Stir Huycau – chief of the Gods Vastirj – protector of men, travelers and warriors; prototype of the christian god St. George Papai – Spirit of Sun and Sky Tabit – protector of Family and Happiness Aress – Spirit of the War Wasilla - Spirit of rain, thunder and lightning and protector of harvest Æfsati – protector of hunters and wild animals Tutyr – Lord of the wolves Fælværa – protector of sheep Safa – Spirit of the hearth chain Kurdalægon – protector of blacksmiths Aminon – Gatekeeper of the underworld. Archeological excavations at 2000 meters altitude have also revealed 7000 years-old pottery.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 18:36:26 +0000
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