June 21 — Ysyakh: history, traditions and meaning of the Yakut holiday

In the second half of June, Yakutia celebrates Ysyakh, the holiday of the sun, symbolizing the rebirth of nature after a long winter. On this day, the Yakuts meet the sun gods Ayyy, drink koumiss and lead ritual dances. Read about the history and traditions of the celebration in the Izvestia article.

When is Ysyyah celebrated in 2025

For many centuries, Ysyakh has been celebrated on the day of the summer solstice — June 21. It was believed that this is the most well-fed and calm time of the year, when people have plenty of milk and meat, and the short northern summer pleases with warmth. Hence the name of the holiday — "Ysyakh", which means "abundance" in Yakut.

Now the dates of the celebration are determined by the local authorities. Ysyakh will be held on June 20-21 in most districts. In the capital of the Republic of Sakha, Yakutsk, the holiday will be held on June 28-29.

Issyah — what kind of holiday is this: history and meaning

The folklore basis of Ysyakh is the epic of the Sakha Olonkho people, therefore the holiday itself is often called Ysyakh Olonkho. It tells about the creation of the world by the Great White Lord Yuryung Ayyy Toyon, who created people, gods and all things. The universe in Olonkho is divided into three worlds: the Upper One is the home of the gods, the Middle One is the home of people, and the Lower One is the birthplace of the evil demons Abaasi. They are united by the tree of life Aal Luuk Mas, in the trunk of which lives the goddess of the earth Aan Alakhchyn Khotun, the helper of heroes and the protector of people.

According to Yakut beliefs, the good gods Ayyy descend to earth during Ysyakh. They arrive on a heavenly road illuminated by the golden rays of the rising sun, riding fiery horses. It is believed that people are related to Aiyy, since at the dawn of time one of the divine tribes descended into the Middle World to settle it. Therefore, they are welcomed as dear guests every year.

The creation of Ysyakh itself is attributed to Ellei Bootur, the mythical ancestor of the Sakha people. It is believed that it was he who laid the foundations of cattle breeding, and also taught the Yakuts how to make household utensils.

Production calendar: weekend and holiday dates for 2025

Russians will have three-day and six-day working weeks.

According to legend, in early summer, Elley cut down several young birch trees and stuck them in the ground in his yard. He stretched a horsehair rope between the trunks, and then invited relatives and neighbors to a big celebration, during which he addressed a prayer (algys) to the Creator and Ayyy. After that, the guests participated in fun games for 10 days, and Ella decided: "May this be the lot of our children!" At the same time, he introduced the Yakuts to koumiss, a traditional drink made from mare's milk.

The first mention of Ysyakh in written sources is found in the notes of the Danish merchant and diplomat Evert Ides. At the end of the 17th century, he traveled to China and along the way managed to record valuable information about the summer celebrations of the Sakha people. The central theme of all rites and rituals of celebration is rebirth, the awakening of nature, and the beginning of a new life cycle. In the old days, the Yakuts believed that during the winter you can recharge with the energy of the sun and even change your destiny for the better.

Today, this celebration is an integral part of the culture of Yakutia, it helps to preserve and develop the distinctive traditions of the region. Since 1991, Ysyakh has been an official holiday of the Sakha Republic. Every year it attracts tens of thousands of people from all over Russia and even from abroad.

Traditions of the Yakut Ysyakh holiday

The celebration of Ysyakh is taking place on a large scale. A special platform is being prepared for the celebration, where ritual hitching posts are installed. According to the beliefs, the Ayyyy tie their fiery horses to them when they visit the earth. To appease the divine animals, serge is decorated with carvings and bright ribbons (salama).

The hitching post is one of the main symbols of Ysyakh. It symbolizes the World Tree on which the universe rests. This is reflected in her form. Traditionally, three indentations are made on the serge: the upper one for Aiyy horses, the middle one for human horses, and the last one for guests from the Lower World.

Next to the serge, there is usually a circle with an altar in the center. It houses ritual utensils with koumiss. This drink is another important element of the Smell. It is considered sacred, associated with abundance and prosperity.

Koumiss is used in many holiday rituals. They are sprinkled on fire and earth when the algyschyt (the white shaman responsible for conducting the main rituals) appeals to the gods for a blessing. He is assisted by eight girls and nine boys in national costumes.

Petrov's fast in 2025: when does it start and end, how long does it last

Traditions and rules of one of the easiest fasts in Orthodoxy

The central event of Ysyakh is the Osuohai round dance. The guests of the festival gather around serge and slowly move along the course of the sun. The process is led by a singer (osuohaidyit), loudly singing traditional songs and praising everything that happens. In the old days, the dance lasted until the early morning, and in some villages it was performed for three days and nights, constantly changing dancers. The Yakuts believe that the participants of the Osuohai share positive energy with each other, which will last for a whole year.

Osuohai is a symbol of the sun and the unity of people. In 2012, an unusual record was set in Yakutsk, listed in the Guinness Book of Records — the largest Osuohai in the world. Then more than 15 thousand people participated in the round dance at the same time.

It is impossible to imagine without various games and sports competitions in which young people demonstrate strength, dexterity and accuracy. Traditional sports include jumping on one or two legs (kily and kuobakh), Yakut hapsagai wrestling, tug of war, archery and horse racing. In ancient times, there was a belief that with the help of games, a person can change his fate. For example, to "jump over" failures or to win happiness.

What you can and can't do during Ysyah

There are a number of restrictions that must be observed by all participants and guests during the Opening. For example, alcohol is strictly prohibited on a holiday, as drunkenness can offend the Ayyyy. Alcohol sales are often completely stopped for several days in the areas where the main celebrations are held.

For a long time, women have been trying to prepare a new outfit for the Holiday. If it was not possible to change the dress every year, they put on a previously unused accessory, at least a simple ribbon. Also, on a holiday, you should definitely try meat and drink koumiss. Leaving a guest hungry is considered impolite, even if he has nothing with which to pay for the treat. It's even more rude to refuse to eat, drink and have fun, so it's important to take part in at least some fun.

On Ysyah days, one should not quarrel, get angry, or use abusive words. According to beliefs, such actions can upset the Ayyy.

There are also unusual prohibitions related to Ysyah. For example, dogs should not be present at the celebration. This is an ancient taboo, the meaning of which has long been lost, but it is still observed today. The list of unwanted guests also includes "black shamans" — they are not allowed to enter the celebration.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Russian folk holiday Lukyan Vetryak.