Ob Ugrians Research Articles

К вопросу об исламизации угорского населения Западной Сибири в XVI – начале XVIII в. и некоторых аспектах изучения этого процесса

Research objectives: The reconstruction of the features of Islamization of the Ugrian population in Western Siberia from the sixteenth to early eighteenth centuries and some controversial points in the research of this process. Research materials: The present study was based on the analysis of published sources: chronicles, memoirs, and archaeological as well as historiographical data. Results and novelty of the research: The penetration of world religions, including Islam, into the taiga and tundra zone of Western Siberia in the late Middle Ages and Early Modern period is a relevant though insufficiently studied line of research. It is directly related to the issues of including these territories into the Russian state. However, in most cases the limited written and archaeological sources, characterizing the process of adoption of Islam by the local population, have led to the discussion adopting the same stereotyped plotlines. Most often, research has looked to characterize various possible factors possibly influencing the process of Islamization led by the representatives of Sufi tariqas, acting in the territory of the Shibanids within the ulus of Jochi, the Tyumen and Siberian Khanate in particular. A significant strengthening of the Muslims’ influence and their activity’s expansion is only revealed in the case of the last one. This process is automatically related to the Ugrian principalities connected with the Khanate, most often not in critical terms. At the same time, the analysis of chronicles mostly shows very limited possibilities of Islamic preaching outside the territory of various groups of Siberian Tatars. In such cases, prea­ching influenced either the representatives of the Ugrian elite alone, or reflected the domestic partnership of the Ugrians with Tatars. Under these conditions, the emergence of new approaches, which O.N. Naumenko and E.A. Naumenko claim in their works, force us to carefully analyze the proposed methods, sources, and results of the study of Islam among the West Siberian Ugrians. The work done in this regard shows that during the period under consideration, the adoption of Islam among the representatives of any groups of the Ob Ugrians would have been isolated incidents. As a rule, such episodes were connected with the elite of this society that was in close cooperation with the aristocracies of the Siberian Khanate. Dwelling in an interconnected way with the Turkic-Tatar population played a great role in this as well. Moreover, after the entry of Western Siberia into the Russian state, the number of such cases did not increase. On the contrary, sources define the Ostyaks and the Voguls as pagans. It is in this context that Orthodox preaching began among them.

Clay figurine of an owl of the Lower Pritobolye

The object of this research is the clay figurine of an owl discovered in the course of archaeological excavations in the Yurtobor 9 hillfort on the right bank of the Tobol River. The goal lies in introduction of in the scientific discourse of the new unique sample of small clay plastic, as well as in preliminary determination of the functional purpose of the item. The following tasks were set: morphological and stylistic description of the item; description of the context of discovery of the figurine; establishment of the chronological framework of existence of the item, its cultural affiliation; familiarization with the history of studying the regional clay figurines in the Russian archaeological science; search for analogies in the archaeological sites of Siberia and other territories; assessment of the semantic connotation of the image of an owl in the traditional culture of Ob Ugrians (Khanty and Mansi). To article employs the traditional methods, such as comparative-historical, typological, comparative-typological, formal-stylistic, semantic methods, as well as method of analogies. As a result of the conducted research, the clay figurine of an owl is attributed to the Yudinskaya archaeological culture and dated within the framework of the XI – XII centuries. It is established that it is the only item in Western Siberian region depicting a bird in the technique of small clay plastic. Based on the analysis of ethnographic literature and medieval archaeological finds, it is established that for a long period of time, the image of an owl had positive semantic connotation due to its high sacred status. The author assumes on the use of figurine of an owl in religious rites associated with hearth and home.

Image of Giant in Mythology of Ob Ugrians and Zabolotny Tatars

The results of a comparative analysis of the images of giants in the mythological traditions of geographically close unrelated peoples — the Ob Ugrians (Khanty and Mansi) and the Zabolotny Tatars are presented in the article. It is noted that the assimilation and leveling of the features of the giants images in original cultures did not occur, despite the fact that the myths of the West Siberian peoples were subjected to processes of mutual influence. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the external features and the origin of mythological characters (giants) with the specifics of the geoclimatic landscapes inhabited by the peoples that form the epic. The novelty of the research is seen in the fact that for the first time the genesis, attributes and functions of the mythological heroes of unrelated peoples living in adjacent territories — the Ob Ugrians and the Zabolotny Tatars — are compared. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the image of a giant has significant prospects in the reconstruction of an ethnic cultural space, since, being one of the most archaic characters in myths, at the same time it remains a part of modern cultural consciousness. The author’s vision of the common and unique features of giants as distinctive characters of the Ob-Ugric and Siberian Tatar mythological systems is presented in the article. The research materials were myths and legends of the peoples of Western Siberia, records of oral stories of the indigenous inhabitants of the region, collected by the authors during field expeditions.

Historical-ethnographic and visual sources of C. Roth’s printmaking from J. G. Georgi’s edition (on the example of the Ob Ugrians)

The subject of this research is the printmaking of C. Roth from the academic edition of J. G. Georgi Georgi “Description of everyone living in Russian state…”. The works of the Nuremberg printmaker Christopher Roth, although being an important source, were not given due attention for a long time, being viewed only in the context of studying the academic work of J. G. Georgi. The this article aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the historical-ethnographic and visual sources of C. Roth’s printmaking on the example of the images of the Ob Ugrians (“Ostyak on the Ob River”,  “Ostyak on Ermine Trapping”,  “The Face of Ostyachka”, and “The Back of “Ostyachka”). Based on the developed visual motifs – costumes, characteristic “postures”, attributes, etc., it is possible to reconstruct the list of sources used by C. Roth in his art pieces. The conclusion is made that as the historical-ethnographic and visual sources, C. Roth used drawings (including “plein-air” and expeditionary), " mannequins, and examples of Ostyak traditional dresses from the Siberian collection of the Kunstkamera. However, in creation of such compositions as “ Ostyak in Ermine Trapping”, “The Face of Ostyachka”, and “The Back of “Ostyachka”, the list of the aforementioned sources can be complemented by ethnographic descriptions from the academic editions of the second half of the XVIII century, miniatures from chronicles (“Brief Siberian (Kungur) Chronicle”), as well as ethnographic maps (“Ethnographic Map of Siberia of the Great Northern Expedition”).

Православное духовенство и паства приходов Обского Севера: экономический аспект взаимоотношений (XVIII – начало ХХ в)

Introduction: the article notes that the Ob Ugrians who converted to Christianity throughout the synodic period (XVIII – early XX centuries) interacted with the Orthodox clergy on a wide range of problems, including economic activity. The study of this interaction allows characterizing the factors that influenced the financial situation, occupations of the indigenous population of the Tobolsk North, and traditional culture in general. Objective: to characterize the forms, specifics and results of economic relations between the Orthodox clergy and the Ob Ugrians in the synodic period (XVIII – early XX centuries). Research materials: correspondence, accounts, reports of archpriests, heads of dioceses, diocesan bishops, as well as publications in periodicals about the interaction of the Orthodox clergy with the Ob Ugrians on economic issues. Results and novelty of the research: the study has shown that the clergy promoted the involvement of the Ob Ugrians in goods-money relations and the intensification of economic activities related to the need to provide for church needs. It was not the direct, but the indirect influence of the Orthodox clergy on the newly baptized. This influence evolved from exploitation mainly due to non-equivalent trade and various fees to the desire to use the potential of the Russian Orthodox Church to spread Russian culture and new economic activities among the «backward» peoples (as it was then considered) of the Tobolsk North. For the first time in Russian historiography, the evolution of forms, the specifics and results of economic relations between the Orthodox clergy and the Ob Ugrians in the synodic period are shown.

Новые материалы по жертвенным покрывалам обских угров

This article presents new material evidence obtained from field ethnographic research conducted in the Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrugs in 2017-2020. Four sacrificial objects associated with worshipping the deity Mir-Susne-Hum popular among the Ob Ugrians, are described. Elements of warrior’s and rider’s clothing - capes, belts, and covers made of broadcloth - were offered as a gift to this deity. For the first time, a sacrificial cover with three figures of riders, made in the mid 20th century by the Mansi living in the basin of the Lyapin River, is published. Information about such attributes has been known to scholars since the mid 1980s, but the real object was discovered only in 2017. A sacrificial cover from the village of Lokhpodgort (Shuryshkarsky District of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) shifts the northern border where the sacrificial covers were used by the Ob Ugrians in the Lower Ob region, by another 100 km to the north. In addition, the cover shows an unusual composition of riders ’figures with additional “empty” square as well as additional anthropomorphic figure on the main figure of the deity. The sacrificial cover with seven figures of riders, purchased in the village ofYukhangort, is decorated with the additional strip of the “birch branch” ornamentation which, according to the author of the article, may indicate that the cover belonged to the Novyukhov family whose surname can be translated from the Khanty language as the “white tree”. The sacrificial cape observed among the Mansi living in the basin of the Pelym River is unusual in shape (heptagon). Most likely, it might have been used as a clothing of a family patron spirit worshipped in the ornithomorphic guise. The analysis of the newly found sacrificial covers reveals that one of them confirms the model for the sequential production of this type of material attributes of deities, proposed by I.N. Gemuev, while the rest of the samples demonstrate specific local features; the unusual number of details can be explained by their peripheral nature.

Финно-угорский и тюркский ритуал инициации невесты: общее и специфичное в традиционных сакральных знаниях (на примере обских угров и казахов)

Финно-угорский и тюркский ритуал инициации невесты: общее и специфичное в традиционных сакральных знаниях (на примере обских угров и казахов)

Похоронно-поминальные традиции обских угров и удмуртов: опыт сравнительного анализа

Похоронно-поминальные традиции обских угров и удмуртов: опыт сравнительного анализа

Изображения в советском северном дискурсе 30-х годов (на материалах газеты «Ханты-Манси Шоп (Шой) / Остяко-Вогульская Правда»)

Introduction: a notable phenomenon of modern historiography is the visual turn, which presupposes the study of history as the history of images. The subject of the research is the images published in the newspaper «Khanty-Mansi Shop (Shoy). Ostyako-Vogulskaya Pravda» in 1931–1939. Objective: presentation of the ethno-cultural segment of the visual range of the newspaper and on this basis the determination of its communicative capabilities in relations with the viewer-reader from among the indigenous peoples of the North. Research materials: newspaper images, works of theorists and practitioners of the photo department, party documents of the pre-war period. Results and novelty of the research: the classification of ethno-images is given; the connection between the dynamics of their publication and the socio-political trends in the country’s development has been clarified. As a common feature of ethno-images, their conventionality and simplicity are shown, which correlates with the peculiarities of the «northern style» in the visual arts of the Ob Ugrians. The weakness of the visual range is shown, which hindered the transformation of the newspaper into a mass, nationally oriented publication. The scientific novelty is determined both by the visual approach itself, and by the introduction into scientific circulation of a complex of images of the Ostyako-Vogul newspaper; observations and conclusions can be used in the preparation of the corresponding section of the academic history of Yugra, as well as special courses on the history of journalism.

«Крупный план» как зеркало: обские угры глазами В. А. Игошева / художник глазами обских угров (к столетию Народного художника СССР)

Introduction: on October 28, 2021, People’s Artist of the USSR Vladimir Alexandrovich Igoshev would have turned 100 years old, whose work was inextricably linked with the culture and history of Yugra. Objective: on the basis of a theoretical and methodological combination of approaches («close-up» and «theory of mimesis») and oral reports of informants to consider the experience of V. A. Igoshev’s creative trips to Yugra. Research materials: catalogs of exhibitions and reproductions of V. A. Igoshev’s works, works of the artist from the funds of the State Art Museum, literature dedicated to the artist’s work, oral reports of informants. Results and scientific novelty: the article actualizes 1) a new theoretical and methodological reading of both the artist’s works and the understanding of the realities of the culture and life of the Ob Ugrians in the second half of the XX century; 2) thanks to the collected and recorded oral data of informants from among the indigenous peoples of the North, it became possible to fill in the gaps in the master’s creative heritage.

Культовые предметы из сборов Приполярного этнографического отряда ИАЭТ СО РАН

Since the mid-80s of the 20th century, the ethnographic detachment of IAET SB RAS has been conducting research in the areas of compact residence of the Ob Ugrians in the Circumpolar Urals. The purpose of the study is to research changes in the traditional spiritual culture due to the intensity of civilizational processes. This year, the expedition route took place in the Berezovsky District of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and the Shuryshkarsky District of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, in the locations of traditional settlement of Khanty and Mansi. During the expedition, an extensive collection of cult and ritual objects, beaded jewelry worn on the chest, unique samples of the Mansi embroidery on the fabric made artistically from local vegetable fiber, counting tokens were collected. The article presents a detailed description and systematization of the objects of the collection found during a survey of abandoned houses and places of worship. The author pointed out the presence of products testifying to the tradition of making leadzoomorphic helper spirits and the rite of substitution of spirits, the use of cold weapons in the ritual practice, the custom of creating ittarmafigures as a receptacle for the soul of the deceased people with an anthropomorphic core, wooden for the Mansi and lead for the Khanty, cult attributes confirming the presence of the cult of Heavenly Horseman. The presence of cult attributes—sacrificial mantle and “heroic helmet”—confirm the cult of Heavenly Horseman. The heroic helmet is interesting due to the inclusion of a new plot—the image of a bird and the sun, the presence of an inner pocket with 7 coins of the 1920s in it, which testifies to the presence of a solar cult and worship of ancestors presented as a bird. Numerous sacral examples prove stability of a fishing cult with the indigenous population.

Современное состояние традиций реинкарнации у обских угров

Introduction: the traditional worldview of the Khanty and Mansi peoples has been undergoing transformation over the past two centuries. It can be considered as a gradual erosion of the semantic «core» of the Ob-Ugric culture, which also includes the ideas associated with reincarnation. On the other hand, these changes are an expression of the modern development of indigenous ethnic groups, choosing for themselves the strategy that allows them to fit into the modern common human culture, responding to the challenges of the era of globalization. Objective: to determine the degree of preservation of traditional Ob-Ugric beliefs associated with reincarnation in the first decades of the XXI century. Research materials: the results of a survey conducted among representatives of the Ob Ugrians in 2017–2018. Results and novelty of the research: the work is a continuation of the author’s research on the traditions of reincarnation in the culture of the Khanty and Mansi peoples. The study of their current state on the basis of a social survey was conducted for the first time, which showed that the traditions associated with the reincarnation are practiced sporadically. Their deeper knowledge is typical for the elderly, while a significant part of the youth is poorly informed. The source of knowledge about reincarnation is a family, as well as literature and the media

«Мыслительные» игры numӑs junt / nomt joŋil как одно из направлений игровой культуры обских угров

Introduction: the article considers the system of Ob-Ugric games developing memory and thinking. It includes competitive entertainment using sticks, planks, cubes, puzzle toys, and rope-weaving existing in the traditional culture of the Khanty and Mansi peoples. The material on the game culture of the Nenets in a comparative aspect is also given as evidence of close Ugric-Samoyedic intercultural ties, Objective: to present a complex of the main types of traditional Ob-Ugric intellectual games as one of the directions of the game culture of the Khanty and Mansi people; to present their classification. Research materials: oral reports of informants and data from published sources. Results and novelty of the research: the author has collected, described, systematized and for the first time comprehensively presented material on traditional Khanty and Mansi games and toys that develop mental abilities. The typology of this type of games is developed. The work also touches upon the problems of actualization of the game culture of the Ob Ugrians and the reconstruction of forgotten games and considers Ugric-Samoyedic parallels.

Жёлтой трясогузки богатырь: корни образа

Introduction: Mir Susne Khum (son of the Heaven Torum) occupies a special place in the pantheon of the Mansi people and is named Mir Shetivi-Kho, Каn-Iki, Оrt Iki (the Eastern Khanty), Ar Mig-Khui, Kale-Khui, Pairaxta (the Southern Khanty). This is one of the few images of the Ob-Ugric pantheon that has explicit Indo-Iranian roots (a horseman), which organically combines with characteristic ornithomorphic features. There are obvious (but unclear) different origins of the genesis of the image of the Son of Heaven, in different parts of the Ob-Ugric world. The analysis of the texts allows us to talk about the symbiosis of the trickster’s features and the hero in the image of Mir Susne Khum, and his belonging to the circle of «the last heroes». Objective: to identify and analyze the ornithomorphic aspects of the image of Mir Susne Khum, and the peculiarities of the images of the trickster and the «last hero» in the Ob-Ugric texts. Research materials: folklore and epic texts of the Ob Ugrians. Results and novelty of the research: although the traditional image of Mir Susne Khum as a heavenly horseman is quite early, but the original image is, apparently, ornithomorphic. The world of Mir Susne Khum is endowed with the features of both a trickster and the «last hero». The initial model of his image had two components: «dark» (winter / death) and «light» (summer / life), balancing each other. Later, under the influence of traditional ornithomorphic (migratory) images (wagtail, goose, crane), the solar aspect of the image began to dominat

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STATE NATIONAL PROJECT FOR REVITALIZATION OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

The article describes a stage of teaching practicum taken by Master’s students majoring in 44.04.01 Pedagogical Education (Master’s Degree program) with the Khanty Philology profile, where a ‘cross-cutting’ native literature program was developed and tested for general education students. In the framework of the state national project for revitalization of native indigenous languages and literatures, it appears relevant to train educators who can teach indigenous languages and native literatures in a comprehensive school. This study addressed the teaching and philological competencies that should be acquired in the process of vocational training. The research methodology rooted in the general scientific principles of objectivity, integrity, and concreteness. No less important in this work was the principle of historicism underlying the cultural-historical method of studying literature, which requires consideration of genres of works by Yugra’s writers. The systematic principle made it possible to holistically and comprehensively analyze the declared problem, eliminate the fragmentation in its presentation. Using the typological and system-analytical methods, a large amount of material on the studied topic was analyzed. The findings were summarized and the general conclusions were drawn. The modern Russian space of higher education requires new knowledge in the field of culture, language and literature of the Ob Ugrians from the future teacher living in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Yugra. This entails fundamental changes in the professional tasks that are solved by vocational education. Therefore, training must adapt to the requirements of the new context.

Evolution of the images of Ob Ugrians in ethnographic illustrated publications of the late XVIII – early XIX centuries

The subject of this research is representation of the images of Ob Ugrians in ethnographic illustrated publications of the late XVIII – early XIX centuries. The author examines the works of H. Rotht, J. B. Le Prince, H. G. Geissler as the visual and historical-ethnographic sources. The article touches upon the general historical, artistic and intellectual contexts of the second half of the XVIII – early XIX centuries, reflecting the dominant representations of the contemporaries on life and culture of Ob Ugrians. The approach proposed by Y. Slezkin that allows viewing the Ob Ugrians “with the eyes of Russians” is favored by the author. In analyzing the visual form of works, the author leant on the iconological method. The novelty of this research is defined by the relevance of studying visual representation of Ob Ugrians in the illustrated publications of the late XVIII – early XIX centuries based on the example of gravures by Roth, Le Prince, and Geissler. This topic is yet insufficiently studied from the perspective of existence of the corresponding historical-ethnographic research, as well as analysis of the artistic for of the works. The task for reconstruction of representations of the artists themselves on life and culture of Ob Ugrians is also relevant. These views were formed within the framework of particular theoretical models, concepts, historical-ethnographic ideas of that time, and were a reflection of the dominant aesthetic canons and artistic conventions, which ultimately outlined the general “portrait” of Ob Ugrians.

Typology of the medieval axes from the north of Western Siberia

The paper presents the results of the research on the Middle Ages iron axes found in different years in the north of Western Siberia and the Urals, excluding pole-axe (berdysh Rus.) that appear in large numbers in the study area with the growing of the Russian population. The relevance of such study has matured, since there are enough sources that need to be generalized and critically compiled. Taking into account the morphological features of the archaeological evidence, the authors propose to classify all currently known axes by 2 groups and 13 types. The first group including 3 types of minting axes were made exclusively for combat use. The second group includes 10 types of axes, classified as universal, which served both for the military and for economic purposes. The text with the description of the sites contains also table with the data on the basic parameters of axes (item length, blade width) and the time of their use (existence). For the first time, a new type of battle axe (type 13), accidentally found in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Ugra, is published. We present analogues of this subject among the products of Russian blacksmiths of the 13th–14th centuries and explain the position on the dating and on origin of the axe. The paper discusses the evolution of certain types of objects, describes plots concerning the origin of certain items (imports from Volga Bulgaria, Russian lands, etc.) and the special attitude of the local population to this type of weapon, which could be stored for centuries in the holy places of the Ob Ugrians. The authors come to the conclusion that imported axes of the second group were used as a standard for Siberian blacksmiths. But local products, characterized by primitive technology (a multilayer package), low quality welding of iron strips and an abundance of slag inclusions, can be finally identified only after metallographic microstructural analysis. This research should be prolonged, because annual archaeological investigations replenish the source base, and, with no doubt, the typology of axes proposed in the article will be supplemented and adjusted.

The legend of Tan-varp-ekva

The object of the study is the texts about Tan-varp-ekva, «the tendon twistress», recorded during the 20th c. The majority of the full-text tales has been recorded from the northern Mansi (Lyapin River Basin, Upper Lozva), some folklore stories have been published for various groups of Khanty (Yugan, Middle Ob, Berezovo, Kazym, Upper Purov, Shurishkar); the Nenets legend about the old woman-Sihirtia stands out. The tales mostly split into two plots: the first one is associated with the prohibition to spin veins at night, the second — with changeling and kidnapping of children. The analysis of the key points of the legends has been carried out, the position of the Ob-Ugorsk forest spirit among similar images of the Komi and Russians has been determined. The authors suggest that the village of Lombovozh (Lyapin Mansi) became the place of creation of the folklore storyline, linking it to the presence of a large archaeological site, a medieval settlement. The spread of the legend of Tan-varp-ekva among other Mansi and Khanty groups was the result of migrations. The main plot of the story refers to the introduction of regulations by the Ob Ugrians on inclusion of a daughter-in-law, young women into the foreign cult community. The story with a silver cup explains the rules of entry of a newly manufactured or brought from the outside object into the sphere of worship in the Ob Ugrians. Tan-varp-ekva in the role of a female deity could act as the patro-ness of needlework, as, for the Ob Ugrians, twisting of deer tendon threads was a traditional female work. The stories about Tan-varp-ekva are similar to those of many Russian fairy tales, ballades about mythical spin-stresses, as well as bans on needlework during the night and transition time. Her image has a lot in common with Baba Yaga and with the character of Yoma — her double in Komi (forest spirits, creatures of the lower world, kidnappers of children, cannibals, treasure keepers, treasure givers, «spinning» deities). The motifs of killing and eating of daughter-in-law by the spinstress of tendons can be an allusion of the rite of transition to a new family, when the girl «died» for her former family and left the protection of the spirits-keepers of her family. The popular-Christian layer of views of the Russians and Komi provides material for comparative analysis of mythological con-cepts of Slavic and Finn-Ugric peoples, who for a long period experienced mutual influence on ethnocultural tradi-tions. The function of Tan-varp-ekva as a «twister of tendons» can be secondary, borrowed from neighboring populations, for example, from the Komi, who, together with Orthodoxy, accepted and adapted the popular-Christian beliefs of the Russians.

M. A. Tebetev: sociocultural origins of painting of the Khanty artist

The subject of this research is the works of the unique Khanty artist Mitrofan Alekseevich Tebetev (1924-2011), viewed from the perspective of its sociocultural origins. The artistic path of the artist took place at the intersection of two intertwined cultures: patriarchal culture of the Ob Ugrians and the culture of Soviet official circles. M. A. Tebetev quite organically infused both cultures. It may seem that his visual art is characterized by propensity for the naive style. However, such assessment in many ways devaluates analysis of the content of artist's paintings. Therefore, certain alienation from the excessive narrow-focus art discourse can propel the analysis of his works to a different, general cultural level. The crucial role in this research is played by the works of such theoreticians as P. Tillich, Dvořák, A. Hauser, and V. N. Prokofiev, which outlined the theoretical and methodological framework for this article. The sources for this research became the works of M. A. Tebetev, exhibition catalogues, and reproductions of his paintings, as well as writings dedicated to his works. The main conclusion consists in the thesis that the works Of M. A. Tebetev feature the attributes of visual historical-ethnographic sources. The evolution of Russian painting from photographic accuracy towards latent iconographic simplicity and open archetypical paganism reflects profound changes in the worldview of the late XX – early XXI centuries.

Cauldrons in the cultural traditions of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds: a sacral aspect

The ritual attitude towards the cauldron as the sacred vessel can be found in all religious practices. Archaeo-logical and ethnographic materials indicate the incredible versatility and polysymbolism of the cauldron in the cul-tures of the Ob Ugrians and Samoyeds. The first part of this research, which was published in the previous issue of the present Journal, covered the archaeological context along with the functional, morphological and social aspects associated with the cauldron as a unique ethnocultural phenomenon. The second part presented here aims to consider the sacral aspect of the cauldron. The conducted archaeological and ethnographic research was based on a structural-semiotic approach. In this article, we analyse field ethnographic materials collected during long-term fieldwork (1980s–2018) from Northern (Synya, Voykar, Sob, Kunovat, Polui, Ob, Polar Urals), Eastern and Southern (Salym, Yugan, Pim, Tromyogan, Agan, Vakh) Khanty; Northern and Western Mansi (Northern Sosva, Lyapin and Lozva Rivers); tundra and forest Nenets (Yamal Peninsula, Pur and Agan Rivers). The materi-als of research carried out in Western Siberia and the Urals were also applied. The use of cauldrons in rituals and rites is characterized by a wide diversity and local variability of traditions. Judging by the information presented in the article, the cauldron plays the roles of a divine sacrifice-gift, a guard-talisman, as well as a home-receptacle for gods and the souls of people. The cauldron concentrates the energy of life through participating in the rites of birth-rebirth and the cult of Mother Earth. Besides cult practices, the multifunctional character of the cauldron manifests itself in the funeral and memorial rites of the Nenets, Khanty and Mansi. Cauldrons from burials, as well as products made thereof (masks, mountings, brackets), indicate the social status of the deceased. Cauldrons act as a guard and a receptacle for the soul of the deceased and/or his posthumous image; they are used as an ac-companying item and a vessel for preparing ritual food.