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Peoples of Russia

Negidals

Negidals are a small-numbered Tungus-Manchu people in the area near Amur. This name originates from the Evenki word “negda”, “ngegida” – “shore”, “edge”. Occasional self-designations: Negdy, Amgun (on Beyenin), Elkan Deynin, Nyasihagil. 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 Negidal language of the Tungus group of the Tungus-Manchu branch of the Altai language family. It is closest to the Evenki language. The dialects are the Nizovsky (Lower Amgun) and Verkhovsky (Upper Amgun). The use of the Russian language is also common.

Dispersion

The Negidals live in the Khabarovsk territory, along the rivers Amur and Amgun (the districts of Nikolayevsk, Ulch, Polina Osipenko).

Ethnic groups

Territorially they are divided into Nizovsky and Verkhovsky Negidals which have local particularities in culture, everyday life and language.

Traditional occupations

The traditional and main occupations of the Negidals were fishing and hunting fur animals: sable, foxes, hares, squirrels, otters, etc. They preserved fish to feed their families. In the 17^th-18^th century the Chinese collectors came to the Negidal camps for the fur; the Manchu merchants also visited these areas often. The sable and polar fox pelts were exchanged for Chinese goods.

Food

The Negidals traditionally preserved large reserves of dried salmon – yukola. In the late 19^th century potatoes became a part of their diet. The Negidals also ate fish and meat dishes. They made a lot of food preserves for winter.