Preliminary results of the polar ethnographic party research in 2010

This year, in the Berezovsky district of KMAO-Yugra, Shuryshkarsky district of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Polar Ethnographic Party of the IAET SB RAS continued its research and collection work. The main aim of the expedition is monitoring sacred places of compact settlement of the Northern Mansi and Khanty, the collection of materials characterizing spiritual and material culture of the indigenous population. A result of this work is the completion of the collection of spiritual culture of the Ob Ugrians with found or purchased cult items. The article is aimed at introducing into scientific discourse new information on cult items of the Northern Khanty and Mansi. The items are both traditional and diverse. They include several groups. The most representative group is composed of ittarma, i.e. little figures, which are meant as a temporary seat for the dead person’s soul. An anthropomorphic figure lies at the core of each object. The next group of items includes figures and clothes of spirits. Among them, of greatest interest are the figures of spirits made of arrows, one of which is wrapped with a belt with two mediaeval bronze pendants - with horse heads and paw-shaped. A sacrificial cover and a hero’s helm, spoons for feeding spirits, dishware, and a gown for the bear’s holiday are referred to ritual items. The publication provides the results of completion, groups of items are characterized, which suggest stable religious traditions of veneration of the ancestors’ spirits, spirits-helpers, veneration of weapon, the use of archeological items in forming the figures of spirits, the description of sets with finger rings. The article contains characteristics of sacral items bearing evidence of ritual practice and veneration of the cult of the Celestial Rider and bear. The author notes the reflection of cult ritualism, which is expressed in making an idol in the first decade of the 21st century.