The exhibition-quest 'The Afterlife of the Cherdyn Interfluve' opened at the Cherdyn Local History Museum.
An exhibition-quest attempting to answer questions: is there life after death? What awaits us after a person dies? How did our ancestors relate to the 'afterlife'? The exhibition tells about the 'life' and 'death' of our forebears: how they lived, what they believed in and what ideas they had about the 'other world', how they perceived death, and what place it occupied in the worldview of the people of Perm.
'The Afterlife of the Cherdyn Interfluve' is aimed at children aged 14 and over and adults interested in archaeology, ancient beliefs and customs. During the quest participants become acquainted with the burial culture that formed and changed in the Northern Perm region from the 5th to the 20th centuries. The exhibition is a way to tell people about the burial culture of the peoples who lived in the Kama region. At the exhibition-quest you can see and even touch replicas of items in the famous Perm animal style; originals can be seen in the exhibition 'Ancient Metalwork of the Cherdyn Land'.
The gimmick of the quest is that at the threshold of the afterlife you are met by the cemetery watchman. He will tell legends and beliefs of 'the other side'. He leads through secret underground passages, shows the burial rite and his domains of the afterlife. Here he is the master and here are his rules. In the exhibition space a burial mound, a Mansi chamiya, and the 'God's House' have been reconstructed.
Visits to the exhibition are possible in two formats: 'Thematic tour' or 'Quest'. During the thematic tour you will hear why animal bones are found in kurgans and why household items are often broken. You will learn about the traditions of mercy that existed in the 8th century concerning the burial of those who died on the road, in battles, or in unclear circumstances. You will learn about the rites that long existed in the lands of the Northern Perm region and have survived to this day, associated with the cult of deceased relatives and with how the memory of past generations was preserved.
During the quest participants become acquainted with the burial culture that formed and changed in the Northern Perm region from the 5th to the 20th centuries; by completing tasks they become 'participants' in rites practiced in various eras. While completing tasks participants receive a 'reward' — five keys to the ancient worlds of the peoples of the interfluve and a quest map.
