Sike, women's wedding garment

Nanais

Far East Krai, village Achan (Bolon)

early 20th century

Cotton textile, silk, silk threads, cotton thread, metallic thread

length of back 103.0; width at hem 96.0

РЭМ 10018-68

The robe depicts half-length male figures, each with a triangular torso and a rounded, slightly pointed head, topped with a helmet made of animal tails and a pair of spiraling curls representing arms. These are obviously depictions of warriors. The male figure's torso rests on a serpentine, twisting ornament, which is traditionally used to depict a rider on a snake. In the folklore and shamanism of the Nanai, Ulchi, Udege, and Oroch peoples, there exists the image of a guide through the worlds, a shamanic spirit-helper, Buchu, or Boko, associated with a snake or dragon. (This ancient image of the bird-serpent is also recorded in the mythology and shamanic pantheon of Central American Indians.) Buchu/Boko is used by shamans as an initial spirit, a healing and hunting idol. The initial image of Buchu is a hypostasis of the shamanic spirit, the fertility deity Erkha (Artso) Mergen. According to Nanai beliefs, he was also considered a deity of weather and storms, as well as vegetation, and the ruler of human souls.

Costume, women's