The Shaman performing a ritual at one of the small islands frozen into the Baikal's ice is Valentin Hagdaev, who carries on the traditions and knowledge of his ancestors. His family had lived in the area for 400 years. His 6th thumb on his right hand predestined him to become shaman. I was traveling in to Lake Baikal from Hungary in 2016 to visit this magical place in March while the lake is still frozen.