Bloody Magical Kazakhstan

Photographer Pavel Prokopchik went to Kazakhstan to take these breathtaking images of Apashka and her pilgrims. Apashka, meaning granny in Kazakhs is a shaman woman who was told by the spirits to find a holy mountain. Eight years ago, she discovered her sacred spot in Ungurtas, Kazakhstan and has since built a home there. She now accepts visitors from around the world and they partake in rituals such as slaying a goat and pouring the blood over their bodies. I’m so intrigued by this granny. If you’re in Amsterdam, Prokopchik also has an exhibition on Russian Sub-Cultures at the Foam.