CHARM

CHARM, an object endowed with the ability to protect its owner from various disasters and to bring good luck. Amulets, beteu, mascots, plants, different metal objects, etc were used as Ch. (ref. Rituals). The faith of the Bashkirs in the magical power of Ch. goes back to pre‑Islamic beliefs (ref. Animals and birds cult, Totemism). The role of Ch. was played by traditional adornments. Ch. were bags with umbilical cord or placenta of a newborn child, rolled into wool embryonic hair of the baby. Those were hidden in a secret place, sewn into an amulet and to a shirt band or a pocket before going on a trip. Various plants were laid out as Ch. in the corners of the house or the house was smoked with such burning plants. The function of Ch. was played by certain colours (red, black, white) used for decoration of clothes, hats, etc.