Women’s winter garment

Nganasan

Taimyr Autonomous Region, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Dudinsky district

1980

Fur (reindeer); leather: natural leather: suede: skin suede; paint; cloth: cloth; fur (domestic dog – Canis lupus familiaris)

РЭМ 10135-8

The Nganasans and the Entsi made the traditional women’s garment from young reindeer fur. The winter garment was double, and worn open unlike the men’s one. Fur or leather patchwork strips were typical decorations of the garment, by which one could judge the owner’s age and marital status. Sewn on the women’s outer garment were ornaments called “chum” and “tinderbox.” Thus, the role of woman as matron of the house and the hearth was emphasized. Abstract by I.A. Karapetova