Assianism (Ossetian: Уацдин) is a folk religion that traces its roots to the traditional mythology of the Ossetians. The Ossetians are the modern descendants of the Scythians and the Alan tribes, and Assianism is believed to be a continuation of the ancient Scythian religious practices. Among Russian-speaking adherents, the religion is referred to as “Assianism,” denoting the faith of the “As” or “Oss,” an ancient name of the Alans.The conscious reorganization of Assianism began in the 1980s, evolving into an ethnic religion embraced by the Ossetians.