Aboriginal Communities of Russian Arctic in the 20^th Century: Authorities and Nomads of Yakutia

Abstract

The article considers the dynamics of the lifestyle of nomads-reindeer herders of Yakutia under the influence of transformation processes that took place during the 20th century. It is shown that changes in political and socio-economic realities have changed the environment of nomadic life twice. It is noted that in the 1930-1960-ies reindeer herding in the Republic was influenced by the policy of mass collectivization of farms and transfer to settlement residence. It is indicated that the Soviet modernization of the village has become a significant challenge for the nomads: direct administrative pressure was exerted both in the socialization and in the transfer to a sedentary lifestyle. Particularly long-term preservation of nomadism in Yakutia as a way of life determined by the peculiarities of traditional reindeer husbandry in the Republic is highlighted. The authors states that the position of the official authorities in relation to the traditional economy of nomads only as to commodity sector of the agricultural sector devalued the cultural values of nomadic communities. It is emphasized that the transformation of lifestyle caused the crisis of the nomadic family, interrupted the continuity of generations in the nomadic communities, contributed to the discrimination of the culture of nomadic ethnic groups. It is indicated that the return of nomadic tribal communities in the 1990-ies was a form of ethnic self-organization of Yakutia reindeer herders.

Keywords

• arctic
• yakutia
• social history
• indigenous peoples
• reindeer husbandry
• traditional economy