Juniper. Republic of Altai

Juniper (Latin: Juniperus) is a genus of evergreen coniferous shrubs of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), growing on rocky slopes, cliffs, and sparse forests. In the Altai Mountains, juniper is represented by three species: false Cossack juniper — at archyn, Cossack juniper — koy archyn, and Siberian juniper — kyrchyn. For the Altai people, juniper is the most sacred, revered, and ethnically significant plant. It has many names: artysh, archyn, archa.

The Telengits (inhabitants of Southern Altai) say that when the Holy Mother descended to the earth, she sat where the juniper (called artysh by the locals) grew. Soon after, she gave birth to her son — God. Because the Holy Mother sat on it, it has a sprawling form. According to the Altai people, juniper possesses cleansing and healing properties. A lit branch of the plant is used to fumigate a sick person, purify a dwelling, cradle, or hearth. People turn to folk healers with a juniper branch, and it is used during matchmaking.

Juniper is gathered during the new moon. First, white ribbons are tied to the shrub, it is sprinkled with milk, and permission to collect juniper branches is asked from its Spirit. Juniper is not uprooted or broken. No more than two branches are taken from one shrub, carefully separated from the base of the trunk. In such places, people behave quietly and with special reverence.

For the Altai people, juniper symbolizes immortality. According to legend, the upper deity Altai-Kudai and the deity of the lower world Erlik-Biy created man together. Altai-Kudai wanted to give man immortality. Going away to fetch immortality, he left a dog to guard the man. But then Erlik-Biy appeared. He asked the dog for permission to give life to the man, promising in return "clothes you can wear forever and endless food." The dog was tempted and gave permission. Thus, Erlik-Biy breathed life into the man. When Altai-Kudai returned with immortality, he saw that the man had already been brought to life. He drove the dog away, saying: "Live near people. When they need you, let them feed, love, and caress you, and when they don't, let them drive you out of their home." Altai-Kudai then gave immortality to juniper, cedar, birch, and springs.

Juniper is also popular as a medicinal plant. From its roots, Altai shamans (kam) made spoons and wine cups used in ritual ceremonies. It is believed that a juniper ritual spoon with nine eyes, with just one sprinkling from the heavens, delivers milk (an offering to the celestial deities) to the ninth sphere of the sky, and the second and third sprinklings reach the 27th layer of the heavens. This ritual is performed by a mother when her son or daughter leaves their native ayil and goes on a long journey: the mother offers milk to the heavens with a ritual spoon from a wooden bucket (chelek) and asks for a blessing for her child leaving the home. The Telengits of the Kosh-Agach district conduct a similar ritual when they welcome the first migratory birds in spring and bid them farewell in autumn.