Western Canada is home to half the world's Doukhobors, or,
translated literally from the Russian, "Spirit Wrestlers." Their Russian
origins are evident in all aspects of their heritage. In keeping with
their motto, "Toil and peaceful life," Doukhobors seek to balance the
basic needs of everyday life with spiritual beliefs based on Christian
principles. To preserve and make known their ideals, Doukhobors have
developed a rich song tradition, consisting of psalms and hymns, as well
as other types of songs.
To mark the first century of Doukhobor life in Canada (1899-1999), this
exhibition offers a sampling from the museum's collections.
The publication SPIRIT WRESTLERS: CENTENNIAL PAPERS IN HONOUR OF
CANADA’S DOUKHOBOR HERITAGE by Robert B. Klymasz and Koozma J. Tarasoff
(Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1995, ISBN 0-660-14034-9) is available
for purchase.
Created: October 15, 1996. Last update: September 10, 2001 © Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation |
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