Cultural heritage of the Evenks from Khatystyr, Aldan district
of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Saddle
Photo 1. Reindeer saddle (personal collection of Ignatiy Yegorovich Struchkov, resident of the village of Khatystyr)
The Evenki, one of the indigenous peoples of Siberia, are traditionally engaged in reindeer herding and hunting, making them a unique ethnocultural group closely connected to nature and wildlife. Reindeer herding among the Evenki has deep historical roots dating back to ancient times and plays a key role in their economy, culture and everyday life. The reindeer saddle, as an important element of material culture, is an integral part of this traditional way of life, it is not only a functional object, but also a symbol of their cultural identity. The design of the saddle, its materials and decorations carry a deep cultural and sacred meaning, connecting the Evenki with their ancestors, nature and the spiritual world.
Reindeer saddle design:
The Evenki reindeer saddle is simple and functional. The main elements of the saddle include:
- Frame: made of wood, providing strength and lightness.
- Seat: covered with leather for comfort and warmth.
- Straps: leather straps are used to attach the saddle to the reindeer and provide security.
The Evenk reindeer saddle is not only a functional item, but also an important element of cultural identity. The saddle is often decorated with ornaments and symbols that have sacred meaning. These decorations can symbolize a connection with nature, ancestors or spirits. Despite the influence of modern technology and changes in the Evenk way of life, the reindeer saddle continues to be used in traditional reindeer herding. The Evenk reindeer saddle is an important element of their material culture, reflecting historical traditions, design features and cultural significance. Preservation and study of this item contributes to a better understanding of the unique Evenk culture and their interaction with the environment.
Reindeer Bell
The Evenki, one of the indigenous peoples of Siberia, traditionally practice reindeer herding and hunting, making them a unique ethnocultural group closely connected to nature and wildlife.
Reindeer herding among the Evenki has deep historical roots dating back to ancient times and plays a key role in their economy, culture and everyday life. A collar with a reindeer bell is an integral part of this traditional way of life, fulfilling both practical and cultural functions: the collar not only helps the Evenki monitor the movement of their reindeer, but also serves as an important symbol of their cultural identity. This item reflects centuries of wisdom and experience accumulated in the process of adapting to the harsh conditions of the taiga.
The main elements of the collar include:
- Base: made of leather, providing strength and flexibility.
- Bell: a metal bell is attached to the collar with a strap. The bell can be of different sizes and shapes, depending on preferences and traditions.
- Decorations: the collar is often decorated with ornaments, beads, fur or other elements that have a sacred meaning.
A collar with a bell performs several important functions. Thus, the sound of the bell allows the Evenks to monitor the movement of deer, especially in conditions of poor visibility or at night. In addition, the sound of the bell can scare off predators, contributing to the safety of the herd. In addition, the sound of the bell helps to quickly find it if the deer goes far from the herd. In addition, it should be noted that the collar for the deer is not only a functional item, but also an important element of the cultural identity of the Evenks. The collar is often decorated with ornaments and symbols that have a sacred meaning. In this case, the collar is decorated with metal buttons and leather straps.
Leather scraper "U" and "Kedere"
Photo 3. Scraper for leather dressing "U" and "Kedere"
Evenki leather scrapers "U" and "Kedere" are unique tools used by the Evenki, an indigenous people of Siberia, to process animal skins. Processing animal skins has been and remains an important part of their economic activity, providing material for the manufacture of clothing, footwear and other household items. The "U" scraper for leather plays a key role in this process, allowing you to effectively clean the skins from the remains of meat and fat.
Traditional Evenki scrapers "U" and "Kedere" were made of various materials, such as metal, bone, horn or wood. In modern conditions, metal scrapers with wooden handles sharpened at a certain angle are used.
The process of using a scraper includes the following steps:
Preparation of the skin: the animal skin was removed and cut into the necessary parts.
Skinning: the "U" scraper was used to remove the remains of meat and fat from the inside of the skin. The "Kedere" scraper was used when dressing fresh skins, which were wet and required quick processing. These processes required considerable physical effort and skill. After cleaning, the skin was tanned and other processes were performed to give it the necessary properties.
Evenki "U" and "Kedere" scrapers for leather dressing not only remain important tools in economic activity, but also have cultural significance. The skill of leather dressing is passed down from generation to generation to this day.
Box for handicraft items
Photo 4. Box for handicrafts (from the personal collection of the People's Master of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Nadezhda Mikhailovna Grigorieva)
The Evenki, an indigenous people of Siberia, have a rich cultural tradition that includes a variety of elements of everyday life and crafts. One of these elements is the craft box, which played an important role in the daily life of Evenki women.
The base of the craft box was sewn from a single piece of birch bark or a thin wooden board. The boxes had a round, square, rectangular or hexagonal bottom with rounded corners and a lid that was placed on top. The frame, covered with suede, was decorated with strips of fabric embroidered with beads and a flagellum stitch with under-the-neck hair. To the east of Lena-Baikal, such boxes were called muruchun and had a round or oval bottom. They were decorated with a flagellum stitch with under-the-neck hair and stripes painted between the seams and suede tassels nelbi. Craftsmen decorated their boxes with a birch bark overlay on a plain fabric lining.
All boxes had a suede neck made on a brace.
The handicraft box had an important cultural significance for the Evenks. It symbolized women's wisdom, skill, and connection with the traditions of their ancestors. Passed down from generation to generation, the box became part of the family history and heritage. The decorations on the box often had a symbolic meaning, reflecting the mythology and cosmogony of the Evenks.
The box shown in the photographs was made using traditional technology using suede, fur, and decorated with reindeer hooves, which are attached to the box with leather straps. The side part is made of reindeer fur, decorated with triangular inserts of the same white fur.
Fedorov Svyatoslav Igorevich, senior lecturer of the department
on World, national history, ethnology, archeology
of Faculty of History, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University.