Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Kereks
Kereks are one of the Paleoasiatic peoples of Russia. Their self-designations are Ankalgakku – “seaside people”, Karakykku (from the Chukotkan “Kerekit”, here is where the ethnonim “Kerek” comes from). In 2000, they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
The Kerek language belongs to the Chukotko-Kamchatkan language family and has two dialects: Meynepilgyn and Khatyr. The language has no written form and serves for communication within the family. The Kereks also speak the Chukot and Russian languages.
Dispersion
The Kereks live in the villages of the Bering district of the Chukotka Autonomous District.
Traditional occupations
The Kereks’ traditional occupations were sea hunting and trapping, reindeer and mufflon hunting, fishing and foraging. They hunted with harpoons, with bows and arrows, later with bludgeons with walrus tusk tips and with firearms. They kept sled dogs (the sled and team were of the Eastern Siberian, or Chukotko-Koryak type). Southern Kereks often practiced small-herd reindeer breeding.
Dwellings
The Kereks’ winter dwellings were large collective dugouts for several families. Near dugouts, they had special platforms on which they kept their belongings, the sleds, etc. When frosts became stronger and snow fell, snow was laid round the dugout, and they built an additional long snow corridor towards the entrance. Winter settlements consisted of 1-3 large dugouts, with several families inhabiting each one. Summer dwellings were temporary ones, like huts. In Soviet times, a log house became the main dwelling of the Kereks.
Food
Their diet included dishes from reindeer meat (raw, frozen, cured, boiled), whale and walrus meat, preserves from grass roots, dried and cured fish.
