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Settled fishermen and hunters: peoples of the Amur |
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Traditional culture of Nanaians, Ul'chi, Negidalts, Nivkhs, Oroki, Orochi and Udeghe belong to the type of settled fishermen and hunters.
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| Girl in wedding costume. Nanaians. Photo-archive of the RME |
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| Types of Nivkh men. Nivkhs. Photo-archive of the RME |
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Summer fishing camp. Nivkhs. Photo-archive of the RME |
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Birch bark bag. Udeghe. Primorskaya Region. Ussury territory |
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Carpet. Nanaians. Khabarovsk territory.1980s. |
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| Rug made of bird skins.1980s.Khabarovsk territoty. Negidalts |
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Cultural and economy types
Traditional culture of Nanaians, Ul'chi, Negidalts, Nivkhs, Oroki, Orochi and Udeghe belong to the type of settled fishermen and hunters. These peoples had almost the same level of social and economic development; their historic fortunes were highly interlaced.
Main occupations
The main occupation of the peoples of the Amur River region is fishing, hunting sea and taiga animals, collecting. Siberian salmon and hunchback salmon were main objects of the fishery.
Sea animals and fish were caught with the help of nets, seine, hooks, harpoon. Special costume for fishing and hunting was made of strong fish skin. People ate fresh, dry, boiled and fried fish. Fish bones were given to the dogs because team of harnessed dogs was the main mean of transport during winter period.
Beliefs
In their beliefs the peoples of the Amur River region were Animists. They animated nature, allotted the surrounding world with good and evil spirits. Heavenly bodies, mountains, water were considered to be living creatures. Animistic ideas gave birth to the "masters of the nature" cult, which was closely bound to the fishing and hunting rites. Taiga, mountains and rivers, sea, lakes in particular have mainly determined the ritual practice of the peoples of the Amur River region. The feast of liberation of water from ice played an important role as well as dedication to the water spirits special food and utensils. Only after "feeding the water" Nivkhs started fishery. Otherwise, the "master of the water" would not send fish to the fishermen.
Crafts
Various artistic crafts were spread among peoples of the Amur River region. Woodworking (carving and painting), working on the birch bark (painting, stamping, carving) and wickerwork made of twigs and roots of the plants were very important in this field. Utensils made of wood and birch bark were very different in size and form and were decorated with colorful spiral ornament. Folk master very often turned things they produced in real works of art.
Textile
The artistic working of the textile can be seen in the wedding gown (mosaic, applique, embroidery) and in the modern carpets of Ul'chi and Nanaians. The unique decorative mats of Nigidalts, sewn of drakes and duck head skin, are also of great interest. Grey, green and blue feathers, which are iridescent, and pieces of colorful animal skins (squirrels, Siberian weasel), gathered in a mosaic pattern, are surprising us not only because of being an extraordinary materials but also because of the capacity of the craftsmen to see the beauty in nature and transfer it onto their works.
Marriage
For the peoples of the Amur River region marriage was always based on some economic ideas. Parents looked for future relatives in advance, while their children were small, and arranged the future marriage
Dowry
Father of the bride always wanted to get good dowry and rich relatives. Dowry was paid in money or things such as fabric, metal and utensils. Rich Nanaians could have several wives. Difference in age between husband and wife was not of importance: wife could be 20-25 years younger than her husband and vice verse.
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