Cult Items from the Collections of the Circumpolar Ethnographic Detachment of IAET SB RAS in 2021

Abstract

Since the mid-80s of the 20th century, the ethnographic detachment of IAET SB RAS has been conducting research in the areas of compact residence of the Ob Ugrians in the Circumpolar Urals. The purpose of the study is to research changes in the traditional spiritual culture due to the intensity of civilizational processes. This year, the expedition route took place in the Berezovsky District of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and the Shuryshkarsky District of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, in the locations of traditional settlement of Khanty and Mansi. During the expedition, an extensive collection of cult and ritual objects, beaded jewelry worn on the chest, unique samples of the Mansi embroidery on the fabric made artistically from local vegetable fiber, counting tokens were collected. The article presents a detailed description and systematization of the objects of the collection found during a survey of abandoned houses and places of worship. The author pointed out the presence of products testifying to the tradition of making leadzoomorphic helper spirits and the rite of substitution of spirits, the use of cold weapons in the ritual practice, the custom of creating ittarmafigures as a receptacle for the soul of the deceased people with an anthropomorphic core, wooden for the Mansi and lead for the Khanty, cult attributes confirming the presence of the cult of Heavenly Horseman. The presence of cult attributes—sacrificial mantle and “heroic helmet”—confirm the cult of Heavenly Horseman. The heroic helmet is interesting due to the inclusion of a new plot—the image of a bird and the sun, the presence of an inner pocket with 7 coins of the 1920s in it, which testifies to the presence of a solar cult and worship of ancestors presented as a bird. Numerous sacral examples prove stability of a fishing cult with the indigenous population.