In shamanic objects much attention is paid to ritual sculpture associated with cosmogonic ideas, rituals, hunting cult and healing magic. Ongon (plural ongod) are ancestral or nature spirits in Mongolian shamanism, representing the souls of deceased shamans or sacred entities. They are embodied in physical idols or talismans – made of materials like felt, wood, or metal – that act as vessels for the spirit. Idols can be placed in the home (“home ongon”) or in another locale, such as a shelter out in the open (“field ongon”). Ongon are used to cure illnesses, provide protection, and assist with divination.
