Shaman’s costume

Selkup

Turukhansk Krai

early 20th century

Leather: natural leather: hide (reindeer); leather: natural leather: suede: skin suede (reindeer); metal: iron; metal: brass; paint; threads: plant fiber: cotton

РЭМ 273-1

The costume of a Selkup shaman consisted of a parka, plastron, headgear, and footwear. Only “big,” powerful shamans had a complete costume. The semantics of the costume made of male deer skin reflects the notion of a bird beast, which is emphasized by certain pendants provided. For a costume to become “genuine,” it had to be “animated.” This rite was held in spring when the migrant birds were coming back. Abstract by I.A. Karapetova