Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Itelmen
The Itelmen (“the one who exists”, “local inhabitant”) are one of the native peoples of the Kamchatka peninsula. In 2000, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
They speak the Itelmen language (obsolete name Kamchadal language) which is usually classed as belonging to the Chukotko-Kamchatkan family. In what relates to language, the Itelmen used to form three large groups: eastern, southern and western. By now, only the western Itelmen language remains, which was significantly influenced by the Koryak language. The eastern and southern Itelmen languages are completely lost. There are four dialects in the western Itelmen language: Napan, Sedanka, Sopochny and Khayryuz. Russian language is common. The Itelmen alphabet is based on the Russian script.
Dispersion
The Itelmen live in the Tighil district of the Kamchatka territory, in the Chukotka Autonomous District and in the Magadan region.
Traditional occupations
Their traditional occupation is fishing (mostly salmon fishing). Hunting furred animals (sable) and marine animals (seals, sea bears and whales) plays a significant role. The Itelmen used stone, bone, horn and wood tools and knew pottery. A particular trait of the Itelmen economy is the well-developed practice of foraging, which was done by women. They gathered up to a hundred types of edible plants, berries, medicinal herbs, nuts, dwarf pine, which they preserved for winter in a dried or cured form. Close connections with the Russian population of the peninsula helped to expose the Itelmen to new economic occupations. By the second half of the 19th century, all the Itelmen villages already had small kitchen gardens where potatoes and vegetables were grown; under the influence of the Russians they also started breeding horses and cattle. During the last decades, the economy of the Itelmen has changed. In the modern occupational structure, new occupations prevail: cattle breeding, construction work, industrial fish processing.
