Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Soyots
The Soyots are a native small-numbered people which populate the Oka district of the Republic of Buryatia. Their self-designation is Soyyit.
Language
Currently the Soyot dialect of the Buryat language is widespread in the language environment.
Dispersion
The majority of the Soyots live in Buryatia in the Oka district (the Soyot, Orlik, Sayan and Burengol village administrations) as well as in the Tunkin district and the city of Ulan-Ude. They were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Traditional occupations
Cattle breeding, hunting and reindeer breeding, which was very significant for the Soyot economy, are considered traditional. Using reindeer for transport purposes permitted reclaiming large commercial acreages. The most ancient commercial occupation of the inhabitants of the Oka territory was hunting. They hunted animals for meat and skins, which were widely used for household purposes. Fur was sold and also exchanged for flour, fabrics, tools and weapons. Fishing was a rare occupation for the Oka Buryats in ancient times, because it was considered to be a sin. Fishing emerged as a commercial occupation in the late 19th century with the arrival of the Russian service class; the locals learned the methods and tools for fishing from the Russians.
Food
The prevailing role in the diet belonged to reindeer and game meat. Meat was mostly eaten boiled; fatty meat from the autumn killings was valued. The Soyots considered boiled or fried reindeer tongue and reindeer lips especially tasty. All the reindeer entrails were used for food; they all had Buryat names.
