#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The Moscow Nomadic Culture Museum’s expedition completed its work in Hatanga. For two weeks, experts studied the folklore, traditions, customs and culture of indigenous peoples living in Taimyr.
According to the Moscow museum’s director – ethnographer, traveler, anthropologist Konstantin Kuksin, the institution he created is a unique open-air ethnographic museum. There are tents and yurts, carts and sleds, and these objects are not behind glass – they can be touched, they can be used for their intended purpose. If it is a musical instrument – you can play it, if it is a bow – you can shoot with it. The Museum of Nomadic Culture carries information about the traditions and culture of 50 nomadic peoples living in different parts of the world.
According to the Hatanga’s official portal, a group of eleven people flew to rural settlement to collect exhibits and information about the oldest nomadic people, the Nganasans, and the youngest, the Dolgans. To do this, the guests drove through the northern villages – Novorybnaya, Popigay, and then the southern ones – Crosses, Novaya, Heta and Katyryk.
Muscovites made many folklore records, interviewed local residents who lead a traditional economy. Not far from Popigai, they managed to visit a real Dolgan camp and see argish (reindeer caravan). This, according to the guests, is a real success for them. In the village of Novaya, acquaintance with the Dolgan, and then the Nganasan culture continued. Communication with the native speaker of this language and the ancient people culture popularizer Daria Chaihoreyevna was very informative.
The guests of Taimyr were fascinated by the villagers’ hospitality and friendliness, who helped them organize their life all those days. The expedition members were able to purchase things as priceless exhibits that will replenish the museum in Moscow. Some of them are gifts from northerners. The results of the expedition, according to the participants, exceeded all expectations.
At a meeting with Hatanga residents, muscovites shared their impressions. Konstantin Kuksin admitted that this trip to Taimyr was the most pleasant of all previously undertaken. The Nomadic Culture Museum’s director, an interesting storyteller, told the villagers a lot of new and interesting things.
Muscovites also shared their plans for the next six months: in the spring they intend to visit the rural settlement of Hatanga again to attend one of the main holidays of the northerners – the Reindeer Breeder Day.
It’s worthy mentioning that in the fall of 2023 – in the spring of 2024, the Taimyr House of Folk Art’s specialists will go on historical and ethnographic expeditions to the Hatanga and Dudinka regions to study the traditions of the Taimyr indigenous peoples. The latest ethnic festival Big Argish in Norilsk showed the Taimyr settlements’ life. We also told about how the Taimyr people celebrate Fisherman’s Day in the villages.
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Text: Elena Popova, Photo: Denis Kozhevnikov and Nikolay Shchipko / editorial archive
