Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Koryaks
The Koryaks are the native people populating the northern part of the Kamchatka peninsula. They do not have a single self-designation. The ethnonym Koryak is connected with the formants “kor” (reindeer) and “ak” (being connected with), that is, Koryak means “connected with reindeer”. In 2000, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
The Koryak (Nymylan) language belongs to the Chukotko-Kamchatkan language family and is traditionally classed as belonging to the nongenetic group of Paleoasiatic languages. There are 11 known Koryak dialects: Chauchuven, Karaga, Apuka, Alyutor (Olyutor), Palan (Pallan, Lesnovsky), Kakhtana, Rekinnik, Kamensky, Itka, Paren, Guizhiga.
Dispersion
They live in the Kamchatka territory, the Magadan region and the Chukotka autonomous district.
Ethnic groups
By their way of life and type of economy, the Koryaks can be divided into two large groups: the nomad Koryaks (Chauchuvens) and the settled Koryaks (Namylans). The nomadic Koryaks traditionally settled in the interior regions of Kamchatka and the parts of the mainland bordering the peninsula, the settled ones, on the eastern and western shores of Kamchatka as well as in the area of the Penzhina Bay and the Taygonos Peninsula. The territorial groups of the settled Koryaks (Alyutors, Apuka, Karaga, Palans, etc.) differ in the particulars of their home economy, culture and dialects. The self-designation of the nomadic Koryaks is Chaw Chyw (Chaw Chyw Aw), and of the settled ones, Nymulg Yn (Nymylg O).
Traditional occupations
For nomad Koryaks, their main occupation was traditionally reindeer breeding. Fishing and hunting sea mammals were the main occupations of most of the settled Koryaks and subsidiary occupations of the reindeer breeding Chauchuvens.
Dwellings
The nomadic Koryaks lived in yaranga tents, which had a frame made from poles covered with sheets made from reindeer skins. The yaranga reached 10 m in diameter and 4 m in height. In the center, there was a hearth. On three sides of the walls, sleeping canopies made from reindeer skins were hung, fur side in. The floor of the sleeping canopy was covered with reindeer skins. Usually there were several related families living in a Koryak yaranga. The camps of the reindeer Koryaks were temporary settlements consisting of two to five yarangas. The summer settlements of settled Koryaks were located in fishing locations and consisted mostly of huts. The winter ones were placed in 10-30 km from mouths of rivers. The traditional permanent dwelling of the shore Koryaks is a semi-dugout, dug 1.5-2 m into the ground. In winter, the dwelling was entered into through the smoke flap which also served as a window.
