"Djamala" tradition (in winter - on Shrovetide)

Every year on Shrove days, in the village of Voluyak is organized a traditional custom "Djamala". The tradition dates back to the time of Turkish rule.

According to legends, ever in these times, there was a several consecutive years of drought (or sleet). The people were very impoverished and desperate. One day they have seen an unspecified kind of animal which went from Lyulin Mountain to Voluyak. They have followed it to the village square. Here the animal began to bounce and dance and around it villagers begun to sing and dance too. This year was very fertile, and in honor to the animal, the people of Voluyak made a kuker (mummer), called "Jamala".

From then till nowadays on Shrovetide, the Dzhamala group toured the houses in Voluyak and the mummer plays for health, prosperity and to banish the evil forces