Традиционное летоисчисление эвенов и коряков Магаданской области (в связи с современными этническими праздниками встречи Нового года)

Abstract

The calendar systems of two indigenous peoples living in Magadan Oblast (Evens and Koryaks) have been comparatively studied. The theory of ethnic community adaptation to the natural and socio-cultural environment served as a methodological basis for the research. Traditional Even and Koryak annual cycles determined by their origins, types of economic activities, and ecological factors, are discussed. Revealed as well are differences in chronlogical practices resulted from the degree of foreign ethnic influences and borrowings. The author shows that the Evens experienced a strong Russian cultural influence and most of them joined the Russian Orthodox church; therefore, the Even culture embraces some intermittent chronological systems, i. e. the phenological and the Russian Orthodox calendars as well as the human joints calendar. Until recently, Koryaks remained votaries of their traditional religion; however, their annual calendar is complicated by the dualism of their economic and cultural structure (reindeer and coastal groups). The author concludes that Evens and Koryaks had a wide range of options for counting the beginning of a new (primarily economic) year. The article shows the traditional chronology refraction in the modern ethnic New Year holidays (Hebdenek and Tuygivin).