The Yamal Nenets Chum as an Object of Intangible Ethnocultural Heritage (Based on Field Research Materials of 2025)
DOI: 10.23951/2307-6119-2026-2-111-123
This article examines the traditional nomadic dwelling of the Tundra Nenets, the chum, as an object of intangible ethnocultural heritage – a living phenomenon in the contemporary culture of both Nenets reindeer herders and residents of cities and towns in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO). New materials recorded during field research in March 2025 in Salekhard and the Priuralsky District of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug are introduced into scholarly discourse. This field research was conducted as part of the State Russian House of Folk Art's project, "A Cycle of Folklore Expeditions to Identify Objects of the Intangible Ethnocultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia." The article focuses on the current state of traditions related to the construction, erection, and use of the Tundra Nenets' traditional dwelling, as well as the axiological aspects associated with perceiving the traditional dwelling as an integral attribute of modern Nenets life. The core of the article consists of information obtained through interviews with informants – Tundra Nenets and Northern Khanty. Attention is also given to contemporary innovative changes in the materials, construction, and use of the Nenets chum in the modern life of reindeer herders and in the activities of cultural institutions. The Introduction explains the relevance of the article's subject matter and discusses the research materials and approaches. The main body is divided into subsections. "The Structural Framework of the Chum" describes the materials and technology used in making the wooden poles and coverings of the dwelling. "Erecting the Chum" outlines the process of assembling the nomadic dwelling and emphasizes gender-related taboos and correlations associated with male and female spaces within the chum. "The Interior Arrangement of the Chum" details essential household items and utensils. "Preserving the Traditions of the Nomadic Dwelling in a Modern Urban Environment" discusses the existence of the chum as an object of intangible ethnocultural heritage within the modern technological environment and cultural space. The Conclusion presents the findings.
Keywords: Tundra Nenets, Intangible Ethnocultural Heritage, chum, dwelling, Folk traditions, Traditional beliefs, Traditional craftsmanship
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Issue: 2, 2026
Series of issue: Issue 2
Rubric: ANTHROPOLOGY
Pages: 111 — 123
Downloads: 14