Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Yukaghirs
The Yukaghirs are an Eastern Siberian people. They are among the most ancient (aboriginal) population of the northeastern Siberia. Their self-designation is Odul, Vadul (“great, powerful”). In 2000, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
The Yukaghir language is divided into the Northern Yukaghir (tundra) and Southern Yukaghir (Kolyma) languages, which belong to either the Ural-Yukaghir family or to the isolated Yukaghir family.
Dispersion
The Yukaghirs mostly live in the basin of the river Kolyma, in the Magadan region and in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Traditional occupations
Originally the Yukaghirs were settled hunters and fishers. As settled people, they used dog transportation. The tundra tribes lived by drive hunting wild reindeer. With the arrival of the Tungus tribes, some Yukaghirs learned reindeer breeding from them and became nomads. They hunted reindeer not only during their seasonal passages but also using specially trained enticer reindeer. The Tundra Yukaghirs who had reindeer rode them Tungus style in summer, and in winter harnessed them to Chukot-type narts sleds. Dog breeding for transportation purposes was traditionally widespread. Lake and river fishing also plays a certain role.
Dwellings
The settled Yukaghirs (hunters and fishers) used as their dwellings the chandala dugouts made from four rod posts connected between themselves two by two. They formed a cone over which tree trunks were laid. Outside, the construction was covered by turf. The nomadic Yukaghirs adopted chum from the Tungus and yaranga from the Chukchi.
