How did Udmurt village groves bring communities together for sacrifices?

In Udmurt religious practice, sacred groves serve as vital communal centers that facilitate collective worship and social cohesion. While smaller sanctuaries like the kuala are typically reserved for family-based rituals, the Udmurt maintain large groves situated near springs or brooks in the vicinity of a village specifically for common sacrifices involving the entire community.1

These groves act as focal points for shared religious life, reinforcing village identity through organized sacrificial feasts. Beyond the village level, the Udmurt also participate in even larger sacrificial groups that may encompass dozens of villages; these communities gather every third year for extended festivals lasting several weeks.1

The sanctity of these spaces is strictly maintained to ensure the efficacy of the rituals. For instance, in the lud—a type of sacred grove—participants are required to bathe before entering, and unseemly behavior is prohibited. These gatherings often involve animal sacrifices and communal meals, where all food must be consumed on the premises, further emphasizing the collective nature of the religious experience.12