Shaman's blessing, playing Khomus and mas-wrestling World Cup Final

Days of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) in Moscow: shaman's blessing, playing Khomus and mas-wrestling World Cup Final

December, 2017. Moscow. Russia

About Sakha Republic (Yakutia):
Comprising half of the Far Eastern Federal District, it is the largest subnational governing body by area in the world at 3,083,523 square kilometers (1,190,555 sq mi) and the eighth largest territory in the world, if the federal subjects of Russia were compared with other countries. It is larger than Argentina and just smaller than India which covers an area of 3,287,590 square kilometers (1,269,350 sq mi).
1200px-Map_of_Russia_-_Sakha_(Yakutia)_(Crimea_disputed).svg.png
It is also well known for its extreme and severe climate, with the lowest temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere being recorded in Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon, and regular winter averages commonly being below −35 °C (−31 °F) in several population centres, including Yakutsk. (wikipedia.org)

The solemn ceremony of opening competitions on mass-wrestling began with shaman's blessing (Dmitry Artemiev). The shaman performed a traditional dance and blessed the athletes before the competition.

Albina Degtyareva is a laureate of international contests and festivals of ethnic and lively music, the head of the world-famous Yakut musical group Ayarkhaan. The owner of the international certificate Master of khomus playing - the national instrument of Yakutia.

Have you ever heard a khomus playing?

Photo of khomus

Mas-wrestling:
A traditional wrestling sport that originated in Yakutia (Russian Federal Republic of Sakha). This national sport of Yakutia tests strength and agility and it’s rules are fairly simple : two wrestlers sit opposite each other and try to pull the stick out of their opponent’s hands or drag their opponent over the wooden divider.
The feet rest against this divider, but other than their feet and arms up to the elbow must not make contact with this board. The athletes are allowed to move their feet along the board as their bodies respond accordingly to their opponents moves. The bout begins as soon as the referee blows the whistle. Wrestlers with two losses are knocked out of the match. (yakutia.com)