Chumbylat

Chumbylat was a 12th-century ruler of Kokshar, now Kotel'nich, Russia. He united the Mari people and expanded his territory from Kotel'nich to Nizhny Novgorod, building fortresses and establishing religious traditions that lasted centuries. Before battle, he prayed in sacred groves with a zither ensemble and sang songs. In 1181, Novgorod captured Kotel'nich, prompting Chumbylat to move his capital to Kukarka and attack Hlynov, which he destroyed. Mari oral tradition describes him as leading armies of tens of thousands to defend his land and faith.

After his death, Chumbylat was buried on a mountain near Kukarka. The Mari revered his grave, but in 1831, Russian authorities suppressed this by destroying the site and sending guards. The Mari shifted their prayers to another nearby mountain, while Russians settled in the area. In 1993, big prayers resumed at Chumbylat's mountain, attracting Mari from across Russia every three years since.