Fedorov S.I., Semenov A.A. —
Traditions of honoring the bear in the Yakut "kurum" celebration
// History magazine - researches. – 2023. – ¹ 5.
– P. 42 - 49.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0609.2023.5.44012
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/hsmag/article_44012.html
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Abstract: This article presents the results of a study of the bear image in the Yakut hunting culture and the Yakut bear holiday "kurum". The aim is to identify the bear holiday among Yakuts. The cult of bear veneration can be traced in many peoples of Siberia, but until later it was believed that Yakuts had no bear holiday, only in the 19th century R. K. Maak recorded a bear holiday among Yakuts and Tungus population in the Vilyuysk district of Yakutia. The bear festival can also be traced among the Tungus population in the Vilyui district, where they lived closely with the local Yakuts and entered into various ties, which most likely caused the Yakuts to adopt some Tungus traditions. The source base of the work is ethnographic materials of researchers of the XIX-XX centuries, as well as previously unpublished field materials collected in Suntarsky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The main conclusion of the study is that the Tungus population of the Vilyui district, who had a fairly well-developed bear cult, took an active part in the formation of the bear ritual "kurum" among the Vilyui Yakuts. In the central and northern regions of Yakutia, the "kurum" festival as a bear ritual is not mentioned, in other words, it was not widespread, although the term itself is found in the Yakut lexicon and means a wedding feast.
Gogolev A.I., Fedorov S.I. —
Hunting activity among the Yakuts at the present stage
// Man and Culture. – 2022. – ¹ 2.
– P. 30 - 37.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2022.2.35817
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/ca/article_35817.html
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Abstract: This article discusses some issues of hunting activity among the Yakuts on the basis of ethnographic and field materials collected in the territories of the Srednekolymsky, Olekminsky, Vilyuysky, Verkhnevilyuysky and Nyurbinsky districts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Field materials were collected through included observation, in-depth interviewing, audio, photo and video fixation.
In this study, the authors were deeply interested in rural residents who are close and involved in hunting activities from an early age. The paper attempts to record the transformation of hunting activity and to present the current state of hunting among the Yakuts in the studied areas. This paper is the first attempt to comprehensively study and record the transformation in hunting activity. The study examines the ritual and ceremonial component, the tools used and methods of catching prey. The main conclusions of the work are that hunting for many is an active form of recreation, leisure, i.e. it is no longer a subsidiary farm, since it does not bring economic benefits. The findings also include the emergence of new hunting methods using modern technologies. However, it is necessary to note the preservation of some ritual or ceremonial elements of hunting, in some form the sacredness of the activity is also preserved.
Fedorov S.I. —
Economic activity of the Yakuts in the conditions and climate change and “deficit of cold temperature”: traditional practices and challenges of modernity
// Man and Culture. – 2020. – ¹ 2.
– P. 37 - 48.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2020.2.32566
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/ca/article_32566.html
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Abstract: This article examines the questions pertaining to economic activity of the Yakuts in the conditions of climate change and “deficit of cold temperatures. Such aspects of agricultural activity as horse breeding, animal husbandry, hunting, and horticulture. An attempt is made to assess the scale of influence of changing climate upon the traditional life and industries of horse breeders, animal farmers, and hunters of the rural areas of Sakha Republic (Yakutia), as well as examine which difficulties they face and how they respond to the challenges of modernity. The acquired field materials are collected through the methods of overt observation, in-depth interview, audio, photo and video records. The attention is focused on the rural population who show concern over the situation of their households under such fast-paced circumstances: they do not know what to expect from nature next year, and many of them are not capable of handling the emerged problems. The main conclusions consist in revelation of certain problems in the life of rural population in the territories of Sakha Republic that emerge due to the climatic changes.
Fedorov S.I., Yakovlev A.I. —
Transformation of the culture of life sustenance of modern Yakuts (on the example of hunting)
// Man and Culture. – 2019. – ¹ 6.
– P. 84 - 90.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2019.6.31519
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/ca/article_31519.html
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Abstract: This article raises the question of current socio-cultural processes, namely transformation of the traditional culture of Yakuts. This process captures all areas of daily life – from chores to leisure and festive activities. Practically all aspects of human life are subjected to transformation; however, the field observations demonstrated that in the Central and Western parts of Sakha Republic remains an “islet”, which is not overly affected by the transformation – the hunting. The article explores the questions regarding hunting activity of the Yakuts based on the ethnographic and field materials, accumulate in the territories of Olyokminsk, Vilyuysky, Verkhnevilyuysky and Nyurbniksky districts of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The study provides an ethnographic review of hunting methods, as well as certain rituals and pretenses associates with hunting activity in Yakutia. The authors also give characteristics to the changes in the traditional industry, as well as the attitude of modern hunters to their activity.