Syncretism of antiquity and modernity among the peoples of the middle Ob (from observations of the 1960s-1970s)

The article presents some observations of scientists about the life and traditions of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of Siberia -Khanty and Selkups. First of all, the most interesting are those moments of innovations in the life of Khanty and Selkups, which allow us to trace and explain the influence of their worldview on behavior, rituals, and traditions. V.M. Kulemzin reports on the possibility of penetration into the spiritual world of the Khanty by observing the behavior of the Khanty fisherman, for whom the invisible world of spirits is quite real. He believes that the creek between the lakes was dug by the pike-mammoth, that the spirits help him in fishing, strengthening the stakes in the constipation with a sacred hammer, that the steam from the soup is enough for feeding the spirits, that the sacred fire, born by friction, helps to deliver gifts to the dead ancestors and gods on sky. V.M. Kulemzin suggests that the cults of elk and of bear are closely related, while the cult of elk is more ancient, and this fact requires special study. V.P. Zinoviev shares with readers his youth observations of his compatriots, the Selkup of Chvorhol-et yurts (Tyukhterevs). He was struck by the carelessness of the Tyukhterev inhabitants, who had no reserves and lived from catching to catching elk, ducks, fish. The Selkups were extremely careless about harvesting vegetables for the winter. Their lack of respect for industrial work the author explains not by laziness, but by the psychology of the person of appropriating society, who always had the opportunity to turn to the storeroom of mother nature, and therefore did not make special food reserves. Even in present time, when nature has become impoverished, and the transition to productive labor has become a necessity, the Selkups can not abandon traditions and previous ideas about the world. V.P. Zinoviev was also struck by the full gender equality in the distribution of products: even the youngest member of the family had the right to his share of food, even if it was harmful for his health vodka. According to the authors, this is one of the reasons for the general alcoholization of the Selkups. The authors came to the conclusion that the degree of combining innovations and traditions can be very different, depending on the field of activity and specific circumstances, on the intensity of acculturation and assimilation processes. At the same time, they note that the danger to traditional cultures lies not only in reducing the natural and economic basis of their existence, but also in their persistent rejection of new ways of life support.

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