Shamanism

Information on The Tundra Nenets

Two Nenets fishermen, Maxim Nyatch (left) & Ivan Tibitchy, leave an offering of a small carved figure at a sacred site on the 'Sacred Hill of Yuribey'. The site contains the skulls and anters of sacrificed reindeer as well as the casted antlers of sacred reindeer.Yuribey, Tazovsky region, Gydan Peninsula, Yamal, Siberia, Russia

Hek, an elderly Nenets man holding his sacred drum which he made in 1946. Yamal, W.Siberia, Russia

Aerial view of tundra in the Tazovsky region. The hill in the distance is Lyadgayseda, a sacred site of the local Nenets people. Gydan Peninsula. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A Nenets reindeer herder's sacred sled which contains all the family's idols and other sacred objects. A small model sled is lashed onto the top of it. Gyda, Tazovsky region, Yamal, Siberia, Russia

Two Nenets fishermen, Maxim Nyatch (left) & Ivan Tibitchy leave an offering of a small carved figure at a sacred site on the 'Sacred Hill of Yuribey'. The site contains the skulls and anters of sacrificed reindeer as well as the casted antlers of sacred reindeer.Yuribey, Tazovsky region, Gydan Peninsula, Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A Nenets sacred site on the 'Sacred Hill of Yuribey'. The site contains the skulls and anters of sacrificed reindeer as well as the casted antlers of sacred reindeer.Yuribey, Tazovsky region, Gydan Peninsula, Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A Nenets sacred site near the mouth of the Yuribey River. Tazovsky region, Gydan Peninsula, Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A Nenets idol figure called 'Myadpukutsya' (old woman of the tent) who protects the family and promotes fertility. A new belt is added to the figure every time a child is born into the family. Yamal, NW Siberia, Russia

Nyaneynya Seratetto, a Nenets woman, holds an amulet figure that represents a copy of herself. It was given to her by her father to protect her after she was diagnosed with a heart condition. Yamal, NW Siberia, Russia

Nyaneynya Seratetto, a Nenets woman, holds an amulet figure that represents a copy of herself. It was given to her by her father to protect her after she was diagnosed with a heart condition. Yamal, NW Siberia, Russia

A Nenets reindeer herder's, traditional belt with a bear tooth amulet hanging from it to protect the wearer. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia

A Nenets woman's amulet, the double of a person, used to protect them in life and as a memory after their death. Yamal, Western Siberia.

A wooden figure of a Nenets idol. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia. 2010

A Nenets offering at the sacred site of Huunghor-Sala. Gydan Peninsula, W.Siberia, Russia. 2000

A minature sled on top of a Tundra Nenets sacred sled which is used to carry their idols. Gydan Peninsula, Western Siberia, Russia. 2000

Ngamteydu (flowering hill) is a sacred site of the Forest Nenets of the Purovsky region of the Yamal. Western Siberia, Russia

A wooden Nenets idol (early 20th century) from the Yamal in Western Siberia, Russia

During a ritual, Hek, a Nenets elder, unpacks the idols from his sacred sled to feed them. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A Nenets idol called Myadpukhutsya (old woman of the tent) who protects the family and promotes fertility. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia

A 14th Century Nenets idol of an anthropomorphic figure made from wood. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia.

Tyhyko Yar, a Nenets man makes an offering at the sacred site of Huunghor-Sala. Gydan Peninsula, W.Siberia, Russia. 2000

A Nenets idol which represents the spirit of the owner's grandfather. It helps to protect the family. Gydan Peninsula, W.Siberia, Russia. 2000

During a ritual, A Nenets elder, unpacks the idols from his sacred sled to feed them. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

During a ritual, Hek, a Nenets elder, holds an idol from his sacred sled to feed it. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

During a ritual, Hek, a Nenets elder, unpacks the idols from his sacred sled to feed them. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

During a ritual, Hek, a Nenets elder, unpacks the idols from his sacred sled to feed them. Yamal, Siberia, Russia

A pile of antlers from sacrificed reindeer mark a sacred site on the Yamal Peninsula. W.Siberia, Russia

A Nenets figure representing the spirit of a dead female relative. Yamal, Western Siberia, Russia. 2000

Khanty & Nenet herders carry out a ritual killing of a reindeer for food. Khanty Mansiysk, W.Siberia, Russia. 2000