Baikal's Creation

It would be shocking if Baikal did not figure heavily in the folklore of its residents, especially among the Buryats, who have long lived at its shores. One of the better-known myths explains Baikal’s geography.

Baikal had 337 daughters, the most beautiful of which was named Angara. One fine day, Yenisei the Brave came to visit. It was love at first sight. Yenisei and Angara pledged to marry each other, but kept the promise secret. Yenisei departed for his distant homeland, promising to return to ask Baikal for Angara’s hand in marriage.

Yenisei had barely departed when a prince named Irkut paid a visit. He fell in love with Angara and asked Baikal for permission to marry her, which he received. Then he too departed for home to prepare for the wedding.

Angara, in grief, fled to Yenisei. Chasing after her, Baikal picked up and hurled a boulder after her. Irkut, returning on horseback with his brother Akha, also gave chase. However, so fleetly did Angara fly, that Irkut’s horse collapsed in exhaustion. Soon, too, Akha’s horse tumbled and fell. Angara escaped and finally reached her beloved Yenisei.

This is why, it is said, 336 rivers flow into Baikal, but only the Angara flows away. The boulder Baikal hurled at his daughter now sits at the head of the Angara and is called Shaman Rock. The Irkut flows into the Angara from the Sunken Valley and the Akha flows into the Angara further on from the Eastern Sayans. The Angara eventually reaches the Yenisei, where they form one of the world’s great rivers.