Peoples & Place - JIMMY NELSON

The ancient Arctic Chukchi live on the peninsula of the Chukotka. Unlike other native groups of Siberia, they have never been conquered by Russian troops. Their environment and traditional culture endured destruction under Soviet rule, by weapon testing and pollution.

“The way you treat your dog in this life determines your place in heaven”

Due to the harsh climate and difficulty of life in the tundra, hospitality and generosity are highly prized among the Chukchi. They believe that all natural phenomena are considered to have their own spirits. Traditional lifestyle still survives but is increasingly supplemented.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 80/ 81

'When I saw the vastness of the white landscape, my mind was overwhelmed with clarity'

- Jimmy Nelson

Arctic Tundra, Vankarem, Chukotka

February 2012

Ancient legends and archaeological evidence suggest that Chukchi takeover of Chukotka was anything but peaceful.

Unlike other native groups of Siberia, they were fiercely militant and have never been conquered by Russian troops. Under Soviet rule, the Chukchi people endured mass imprisonment and destruction of their traditional culture.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 87

Artprint available

- Jimmy Nelson

People from the Second Brigade

February 2012

The Chukchi are an ancient Arctic people who primarily live on the peninsula of Chukotka. They are unusual among the Northern people in having two distinct cultures: the nomadic reindeer herders (Chauchu) who live in the interior of the peninsula, and the village-based marine mammal hunters (Ankalyn) who live along the coasts of the Arctic Ocean, the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 104

Art Print Available

- Jimmy Nelson

Vladilen Kavri

February 2012

The staple foods eaten by the inland Chukchi are products of reindeer farming: boiled venison, reindeer brains and bone marrow, and reindeerblood soup.

One traditional dish, rilkeil, is made from semi-digested moss from a slaughtered reindeer’s stomach mixed with blood, fat, and pieces of boiled
reindeer intestine. Coastal Chukchi cuisine is based on boiled walrus, seal, whale meat/fat and seaweed. Both groups eat frozen fish and edible leaves and roots.

Traditional Chukchi cuisine is now supplemented with canned vegetables and other foodstuffs purchased in stores.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 86

Artprint available

- Jimmy Nelson

Folk Art

February 2012

Sculpture and carving on bone and walrus tusk are the most highly developed forms of folk art among the Chukchi. Common traditional themes are landscapes and scenes from everyday life: hunting parties, reindeer herding and animals native to Chukotka. In traditional Chukchi society, only men engage in these arts. Chukchi women are skilled at sewing and embroidering.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 110

Artprint Available

'It is considered unseemly for a man to perform work usually done by women'

- Jimmy Nelson

Reindeer Second Brigade

February 2012

Although both sexes share responsibility for running the household, they have different tasks. Chukchi men drive their reindeer in search of vegetation and travel to the edge of the taiga to hunt sea mammals and gather firewood and fish. The women’s work includes cleaning and repairing the yaranga, cooking food, sewing and repairing clothing and preparing reindeer or walrus hides.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 96/ 97

- Jimmy Nelson

Chukotka

February 2012

The coastal Chukchi, like the neighbouring Eskimo, enjoy tossing each other high into the air on walrusskin blankets. Chukchi of all ages traditionally enjoy singing, dancing, listening to folk tales and reciting tongue twisters.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 114

- Jimmy Nelson

Chukchi traditions

February 2012

The traditional dress for Chukchi women is a kerker, a knee-length coverall made from reindeer or seal hide and trimmed with fox, wolverine, wolf
or dog fur. On holidays and special occasions, women can be seen wearing robe-like dresses of fawn skins beautifully decorated with beads, embroidery and fur trimmings.

At important traditional events, we see men wearing loose shirts and trousers made of the same material.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 77

- Jimmy Nelson

Vyacheslav & Olesya

February 2012

Pollution, weapons testing, strip mining and overuse of industrial equipment and vehicles have greatly damaged Chukotka’s environment and endangered its ability to support traditional Chukchi activities.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 92/ 93

- Jimmy Nelson

Yaranga Second Brigade

February 2012

For at least a few hundred years, the coneshaped yaranga has been the traditional home of Chukchi reindeer herders. It takes about 80 reindeer skins to build a yaranga. Nowadays, fewer and fewer Chukchi live in yarangas. The coastal Chukchi traditionally used dogsleds and skin
boats for transportation, while inland Chukchi rode in sledges pulled by reindeer. These traditional methods of transportation still survive, but are increasingly supplemented by air travel, motorboats, and snowmobiles.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

- Jimmy Nelson

Second Brigade, Chukotka

February 2012

The Chukchi, who call themselves the Lygoravetlat - meaning ‘genuine people’ - presently number slightly over 15,000. Their territory is mostly treeless tundra. The climate is harsh, with winter temperatures sometimes dropping as low as minus 54°C. The cool summers average around 10°C.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 95

- Jimmy Nelson

Chukchi

February 2012

Traditional Chukchi sports are reindeer and dog-sled races, wrestling, and foot races. Competitions of these types are often performed following the reindeer sacrifices of the inland Chukchi and the sea-spirit sacrifices of the coastal Chukchi.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 94

- Jimmy Nelson

Mystery

February 2012

Chukchi beliefs and practices are best described as a form of shamanism. Animals, plants, heavenly bodies, rivers, forests and other natural phenomena are all considered to have their own spirits. During their rituals, Chukchi shamans fall into trances (sometimes with the aid of
hallucinogenic mushrooms), communicate with the spirits, allow the spirits to speak through them, predict the future, and cast spells of various kinds.

The most important traditional Chukchi holidays were festivals in which sacrifices were made to the spirits that the Chukchi depended upon for their survival.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 114

- Jimmy Nelson

Chukchi traditions

February 2012

Due to the harsh climate and difficulty of life in the tundra, hospitality and generosity are highly prized among the Chukchi. It is forbidden to refuse anyone, even a stranger, shelter and food.

The community is expected to provide for orphans, widows and the poor. Miserliness is considered the worst character defect a person can have.

Chukchi›Go to tribe

Siberia - Chukotka○Go to journey ›

In the book on page 94

Artprint available

- Jimmy Nelson

Storytelling

February 2012

Chukchi folklore includes myths about the creation of the earth, moon, sun, and stars; tales about animals; anecdotes and jokes about foolish people; stories about evil spirits responsible for disease and other misfortunes; and stories about shamans with supernatural powers.