Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Mansi
Mansi are a small-numbered people in Russia, the native population of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District – Yugra. Their self-designation is Man’si (“human”). In 2000, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
The Mansi language belongs to the Ugric subgroup of the Finno-Ugric group of the Ural family and consists of four groups of dialects, the differences between which are very significant. The writing system is based on the Cyrillic alphabet. The language standard is based on the Sosva dialect.
Dispersion
They live on the vast expanses of the Ob-Irtysh basin within the administrative boundaries of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District – Yugra (9,894 people), with small groups living in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District (about 170 people) and the Sverdlovsk region (about 250 people).
Traditional occupations
Hunting and fishing, deer breeding. Some groups’ occupations are farming and cattle raising (horses, cows, sheep) as well as poultry raising. Their traditional craft is weaving (from nettle and hemp). They also gathered cedar nuts and berries and practiced wild honey farming. A special place was taken by bear hunting, which was accompanied by a feast because of the presence of a pronounced bear cult. An important part of the Mansi culture is the ornamental art. They use patterns to decorate clothes, shoes, headwear, belts, bags, cradles, kitchenware and many other objects. You can see ornaments on articles made from fur, leather, birch bark, fabric, wood, bone and metal.
Food
Traditional dishes were made from fish that was cured, dried, roasted on the open fire, frozen, or from meat.
