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5. Anthropomorphic sculptures (idols) of Putorana plateau

Anthropomorphic sculptures (idols) of Putorana plateau

Kobilyakov I.V.

Federal state budgetary institution «United directorship of Taimyr reserves», Norilsk

Kobilyakov Ivan V.: e-mail: kobi_van@mail.ru.

Abstract

Materials and methods. The indigenous inhabitants (Evenkis and Dolgans) moved away from the central part of Putorana plateau about half a century ago and switched from a nomad lifestyle to a sedentary one. Among the most significant artifacts left by them are the wooden anthropomorphic sculptures (idols). The main distinctive feature of the Evenki anthropomorphic sculptures of the Putorana Plateau is that they were made from the lower part of the larch trunk and were not cut off from the root. Therefore, they were not meant to be moved from place to place. A set of methods used in ethnographic and geographical studies were applied to the study of the wooden anthropomorphic sculptures of the Putorana Plateau. Comparison of informants’ data and field observations on the territory of Putorana Plateau proved to be very effective, as it allowed verification of received materials. Results and discussion. The article is dedicated to the origin and appearance of Putorana idols. It also tells about the superstitions of the modern Evenkis and Dolgans, their beliefs and traditions related to their ancient religion. Based on informants’ data and appearance of wooden sculptures we suggest that idols of Putorana Plateau are of Evenki origin and were probably made as soul-keeper statues and were particularly important for the culture of the native minorities living in the region. Anthropomorphic idols of the Putorana Plateau can be seen as a material manifestation of the system of idolatry, that was widely spread and developed in the past. The core of idolatry was Evenkian religious beliefs with beliefs of the Yakuts and Nganasans and Christianity of the Dolgans and Russians on the periphery.

Keywords

historical anthropology; Putorana plateau; anthropomorphic sculptures; wooden idols; Evenkis; Dolgans; nomadic people

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2018.1.110-123

Цит.: Kobilyakov I.V. Anthropomorphic sculptures (idols) of Putorana plateau // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2018; 1/2018; с. 110-123