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How did the Mordvin spring plowing festival honor the god of the sky?
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During the Mordvin festival marking the beginning of spring plowing, the god of the skyāknown as Å kaj among the Moksha peopleāis honored through a concrete ritual representation. In this ceremony, an elderly man acts as a surrogate for the deity. Positioned in an elevated location, such as an attic or a tree, this individual answers questions posed by the people. Through this interaction, the community seeks guidance and blessings regarding their health, the weather, and the success of the grain harvest.1