In the Yakut language, “Sitim” refers to the immaterial bond between a person and anything else. It is a mystical force of attraction which, like an invisible thread, binds human beings to the universe. Over a period of five years, I attended around twenty Yhyakh celebrations in various, often remote regions of Sakha Yakutia. These events offer a concentrated expression of the original customs and the spiritual devotion of the Sakha people. Yhyakh is the materialisation of the awakening of the spirits of nature. It is a moment when, through ancient rituals and sacred ceremonies, people draw closer to the spirits of the Aiyy in order to attain harmony between themselves and the universe.
At this time, in every corner of the Republic, people open their hearts to their faith and to their belief in the power of the sun and the celestial deities. The word Yhyakh derives its meaning from the verb “to scatter” or “to pour”, as on this occasion a sacred drink made from mare’s milk, koumys, is poured onto the ground. The ritual ceremony of drinking koumys bears witness to the respect shown to the celestial spirits of the Aiyy.
The collective dance Ohuokhay, which follows the path of the sun, symbolises the cycle of life. It is an expression of gratitude for warmth and light, and an ohuokhay can last up to three days and three nights. The culmination of the Yhyakh is the welcoming of the sun, an ancient rite symbolising the cyclical nature of life. Participants stretch their hands towards the horizon in the belief that the first rays will grant them strength and energy and dispel dark forces. The sight of thousands of hands raised to greet the sun is an extraordinary spectacle, leaving an indelible impression. Thousands of people heed the call of the sky and the sun to renew the Sitim bond; ritual dances and songs of rare beauty evoke the eternal return of all things.
These experiences allowed me to relive, in profound depth, the myths of my homeland. I shared this unique moment of raised fingers pointing towards the sky, amid the sharp scent of wood fires, the neighing of horses, and the blazing moment of sunrise.
