Tumulus visual masculine symbols on men's graves: on the example of the village of Gilnoi and Endirei

Based on extensive field ethnographic material, the article highlights the problem of revealing the concepts of visual masculine symbols (weapons, gazyrs, spears, etc.) using the example of two villages – Endiray (Khasavyurt district, Republic of Dagestan) and Gilany (Nozhai-Yurtovsky district, Chechen Republic). During his lifetime, a will (vasiyat) was being prepared, which spelled out all the requirements for burial and funeral rites. Usually, the will indicated a modest funeral with low material costs, and all the remaining money was asked to give alms to the poor (sadaqa). The inherent modesty in funeral and memorial rituals was characteristic of almost all Muslim peoples. However, with all the similarities of the rituals, there were differences. In particular, in the village of Gilany, various images were carved (outlined) on tombstones that characterized the life of the deceased. There were no similar images in the village of Andy. The article is based on field ethnographic expeditions to the villages of Andy and Gilany in October-November 2025. During this expedition, more than 20 old-timers of the villages were interviewed. The cemeteries of two villages were also visited. The materials obtained will make a definite contribution to the necropolystics of the North Caucasus.