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5. Traditional Putorana snow sheep (Ovis nivicola borealis) hunting by indigenous peoples of the Central Siberian north

Traditional Putorana snow sheep (Ovis nivicola borealis) hunting by indigenous peoples of the Central Siberian north

Kobilyakov I.V.

Federal state budgetary institution «United directorship of Taimyr Reserves», Scientific department, Norilsk

Abstract

The article deals with traditional Putorana snow sheep (Putorana bighorn sheep) hunting and its meaning for the system of environmental management that existed before the creation of the Putorana reserve. Major objectives of the paper are: 1) to locate the hunting areas; 2) to describe the way of hunting and factors affecting its efficiency; 3) to reveal the mutual influence between hunters and their game. Despite the fact that the traditional Putorana bighorn sheep hunting was not as popular as wild reindeer hunting, it was quite common among the Evenkis, Dolgans, Enets, Essey Yakuts and, presumably, Nganasans. Due to environmental ethics of nomads and remote position of Putorana bighorn sheep habitats, there was a balance between the consumption and the reproduction of rare animals during more than one and a half centuries. Studies of traditional Putorana bighorn sheep hunting is important not only for the local history. In the context of increasing interest towards the Putorana reserve and nearby areas, the article may be useful for regional travel industry and protection management of the Putorana plateau.

Keywords

historical anthropology, Putorana plateau, Putorana snow sheep, Evenkis, Dolgans, nomadic people, hunting methods

Цит.: Kobilyakov I.V. Traditional Putorana snow sheep (Ovis nivicola borealis) hunting by indigenous peoples of the Central Siberian north // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2017; 2/2017; с. 111-121