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Ongon

Ongon (Mongolian; plural ongod, Turkish: Ongun, Azerbaijanese: Onqon) is a type of spirit in the shamanistic belief system of Mongolia. It is a common term in Turkish and Mongol mythologies. After death, all shamans become shamanic souls, ongod. Idols can be consecrated to them within three years of the shaman's death and can be placed in the home ("home ongon") or in another locale, such as a shelter out in the open ("field ongon"). The ongon is also the physical representation of that spirit, made by a shaman, which plays a central part in the ritual that invokes the protection of the spirit. One well-known such spirit is Dayan Deerh.

The ongon is particularly important in black shamanism: the main function of the khar talynkh or black shaman is to bring people into contact with the ongon, whose spirit they call up "while drumming in a trance". In late-nineteenth century Mongolia, according to Otgony Purev, yellow shamanism revered ongon as well, and every three years yellow shamans gathered in Dayan Deerh monastery in Khövsgöl Province to "renew" these ancestral spirits.

Usage examples of "ongon".

He had no memory of Yesugei Bokeagha, but the ongon brought him comfort nonetheless.

He cradled a small ongon against his palm, a leather pouch that harbored Ogotai, his utha spirit guide.

He lowered his head and slipped the thin cord of sinew from about his neck, offering the ongon to Yeb.

He had anointed the stones with a wide variety of rituals, incenses and ongons, saying it was a sacred place, that the spirits could speak to him easily within its confines.