Ethnic cultures experience great transformations that affect their sustainability and holistic nature. However, the traditions related to life and death are, remarkably, persisting. This articles focuses on funerary customs and burial rituals that are significant for the Khakass people. In this research of the Khakass burial rituals we bring together archaeological, ethnographic, and folklore material that reveals unique data about funerary customs. The article reviews the burial rituals in historical perspective and focuses on changes the rituals have undergone. It concludes with the summary of transformations in contemporary burial practices.
Larisa Anzhiganova is professor of philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Culturology, Khakass State University, where she has been working since 1994. She is the author of many works on various aspects of ethnicity, ethnic culture, and worldviews. Email: alv_9@mail.ru
Margarita Archimacheva is senior lecturer at the Department of History, Khakass State University, where she has been working since 1998. Her research interests include ethnic history of the Khakass people, traditions, and customs, including burial rituals. Email: Archimacheva.margarita@yandex.ru