Azerbaijan, 2018

Molokans are Russian Christians who do not recognise any intermediary communication with God. Molokan history began in 18th Century with the rejection of icons, churches, hierarchies within the Church and the numerous religious ceremonies. The Russian Orthodox Church considers this religious movement to be sectarian.

Once, Molokans lived throughout the country, but the pressure from the government and the desire to establish their own Molokan community forced them to migrate. Today, Molokan communities are scattered across Western and Eastern Russia, the Caucasus, in former Soviet republics, Turkey, the USA, Mexico, Australia and China. The customs and lifestyles of Molokans vary greatly from region to region. In Azerbaijan Molokans live peacefully side by side with Muslims. This series was photographed in the Azeri villages of Chukhryurd, Khimilli, Ivanovka and Alty-Agach. Each village has its own unique identity, as each was founded by different communities from different corners of Russia. There is, however, something that unites them: a certain duality expressed, on the one hand, in the desire to preserve their unique cultural traditions and, on the other hand, the rapprochement towards the bearers of other traditions. 

A family is visitting an ancient Molokan cemetery in Khimilli. The woman standing by the gravestone is the only member of her family who still lives in her native village. Relatives from Russia visit her during holidays and vacations.
A family is visitting an ancient Molokan cemetery in Khimilli. The woman standing by the gravestone is the only member of her family who still lives in her native village. Relatives from Russia visit her during holidays and vacations.
Molokan women start the samovar to drink tea during a festive gathering. During festivities, it is customary to wear something white, such as a head scarf.
Molokan women start the samovar to drink tea during a festive gathering. During festivities, it is customary to wear something white, such as a head scarf.
Despite the fact that the Lebedevs did not have any children, on one of the beds sits a doll.
Despite the fact that the Lebedevs did not have any children, on one of the beds sits a doll.
Before, Molokans did not consume pork for religious reasons, but they have now abandoned this restriction. Many of the residents keep the pigs, as well as the former elder’s grandson.
Before, Molokans did not consume pork for religious reasons, but they have now abandoned this restriction. Many of the residents keep the pigs, as well as the former elder’s grandson.
A scenic view of the village Khimilli.
A scenic view of the village Khimilli.
On the collective farm of the village Ivanovka Russians, Azeris, Molokans, Orthodox Christians and Muslims work side by side, however, they don’t take pride in this work: it pays little and the profit is unstable.
On the collective farm of the village Ivanovka Russians, Azeris, Molokans, Orthodox Christians and Muslims work side by side, however, they don’t take pride in this work: it pays little and the profit is unstable.
An elderly couple from Ivanovka. The wife helps her husband tie his shoelaces, which he is unable to do due to problems with his health.
An elderly couple from Ivanovka. The wife helps her husband tie his shoelaces, which he is unable to do due to problems with his health.
Several Molokan families keep dairy cows and sell milk. They have to stock up on hay.
Several Molokan families keep dairy cows and sell milk. They have to stock up on hay.
A wedding ceremony in Ivanovka. According to the memories of Anna Ivanovna, the guests should traditionally taunt the young to give each other kisses: “They tell jokes like, “I can’t take the spoon out of the noodles, help me. And then we have to get up and give them a kiss. Or they carry samovars which are ‘too heavy’ and then ‘oh, Nikolay Matveyevich, Anna Ivanovna, I can’t keep hold, come help me.’ And twe already understand that we need to get up and give a kiss. And then they say ‘ohhow easy, too easy, oh’… And so on, always with a joke.
A wedding ceremony in Ivanovka. According to the memories of Anna Ivanovna, the guests should traditionally taunt the young to give each other kisses: “They tell jokes like, “I can’t take the spoon out of the noodles, help me. And then we have to get up and give them a kiss. Or they carry samovars which are ‘too heavy’ and then ‘oh, Nikolay Matveyevich, Anna Ivanovna, I can’t keep hold, come help me.’ And twe already understand that we need to get up and give a kiss. And then they say ‘ohhow easy, too easy, oh’… And so on, always with a joke.
The main treat during the festive gathering in Khimilli – a traditional Molokan dish of noodles in a meat bouillon. Whilst the dishes on the table are being changed from one to another (after the noodles come dolma and cabbage rolls), the Molokans sing psalms.
The main treat during the festive gathering in Khimilli – a traditional Molokan dish of noodles in a meat bouillon. Whilst the dishes on the table are being changed from one to another (after the noodles come dolma and cabbage rolls), the Molokans sing psalms.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Kastryulin, the elder of the village Chukhuryurd is carrying to the birds the “vitamins” – cabbage from his own vegetable patch.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Kastryulin, the elder of the village Chukhuryurd is carrying to the birds the “vitamins” – cabbage from his own vegetable patch.
Ekaterina Ivanovna Kastyulina – the wife of the elder of the village Chukhuryurd is resting athome. On the day when the photo was taken, commemorations were taking place in the village,which added to the usual worries and anxieties of domestic life.
Ekaterina Ivanovna Kastyulina – the wife of the elder of the village Chukhuryurd is resting athome. On the day when the photo was taken, commemorations were taking place in the village,which added to the usual worries and anxieties of domestic life.
Commemoration banquet in Ivanovka. In the centre, sitting across from each other aremiddle-aged spouses who have only recently become interested in Molokan culture.On the grounds of such interest in traditions a discord occurred in the family: the daughter began to attend gatherings and pray before eating, while the son categorically rejects this.
Commemoration banquet in Ivanovka. In the centre, sitting across from each other aremiddle-aged spouses who have only recently become interested in Molokan culture.On the grounds of such interest in traditions a discord occurred in the family: the daughter began to attend gatherings and pray before eating, while the son categorically rejects this.
The commemoration feast is traditionally prepared together. Again the main dish is thetraditional noodle served with meat bouillon. It is cooked in a 50 litre iron pot.
The commemoration feast is traditionally prepared together. Again the main dish is thetraditional noodle served with meat bouillon. It is cooked in a 50 litre iron pot.
Molokans gather pears to bake them in a Russian stove. Sun-dried pears are also popular.
Molokans gather pears to bake them in a Russian stove. Sun-dried pears are also popular.
A feast in Khilmilli brings together two Molokans and their Azeri neighbour.
A feast in Khilmilli brings together two Molokans and their Azeri neighbour.
Many Molokans keep domestic animals and birds including turkeys. In the evening they are taken into the aviary.
Many Molokans keep domestic animals and birds including turkeys. In the evening they are taken into the aviary.
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