The world of visual images of the Tuva Old Believers: from icons and popular prints to photos

Abstract

The article analyzes visual images that fill the life environment of Chasovennye (‘chapel-going’) Old Believers of Tuva. The coding of information through visual streams is augmented by the religious activities of the Old Believer community and finds expression in various forms of folk art. Our systemic analysis of visual culture is based on expedition research materials which had been in use at Old Believers' settlements in the upper reaches of the Yenisei (Erzhey, Uzhep, Sizim and Saryg-Sep, Kaa-Khem kozhuun (raion) of the Republic of Tuva) in 2016-2017. How sacred space is filled with religious objects is regulated by doctrinal guidelines established by Council (Sobor) ordinances. The world of sacred images is built into that of everyday culture; it opens into the profane space without losing its sacred meaning. Having refused the use of television and computers, Old Believers are active subscribers to print magazines, both for children and adults, and frequently use postcards for congratulations. Copied fragments of magazine graphics or book illustrations can often be found in works of folk art of Old Believers. Despite the prohibition to take photos of people, Old Believer houses often feature photo albums focusing on the daily life of a family from the 1960s up to this day. We can conclude that among the Old Believers of Tuva, traditional and mass culture interact and support each other, although lip service is paid to the declarative denial of the latter on confessional grounds.

Keywords

• старообрядчество
• Тува
• визуальная культура
• народная культура
• народная картинка
• культура повседневности
• массовая культура
• народные промыслы