Who Are the Selkup?
The Selkup (meaning "forest person") are a Samoyedic people of Western Siberia, inhabiting the taiga forests and river valleys of Tomsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, and Krasnoyarsk Krai. Numbering approximately 3,600-4,000, they speak Selkup, a Samoyedic language related to Nenets and Nganasan but separated by considerable linguistic distance—reflecting ancient divergence within the Samoyedic family. The Selkup territory stretches along the Ob, Taz, and Yenisei river systems, divided into northern and southern groups with somewhat different dialects and economic adaptations. Historically known as Ostyak-Samoyeds, the Selkup developed sophisticated adaptations to the dense taiga environment.
Taiga Economy
The Selkup economy centered on the rich resources of the Siberian taiga. Fishing in the great river systems—Ob, Taz, Ket—provided primary subsistence; the rivers teemed with sturgeon, nelma, muksun, and other valuable species. Hunting supplemented fishing: moose, bear, small game, and fur-bearing animals (especially sable, one of the most valuable furs). The fur trade drew the Selkup into contact with Russian traders from the 17th century onward. Northern Selkup adopted some reindeer herding from neighboring Nenets, while southern Selkup remained primarily fisher-hunters. The seasonal round followed fish runs and animal movements through the vast taiga. Birch bark canoes enabled summer travel; snowshoes and skis facilitated winter movement through deep snow.
Spiritual World
Selkup spirituality centered on the forest environment and its inhabitants. A complex cosmology featured multiple worlds connected by the World Tree or World River. Spirits inhabited animals, trees, and landscape features; maintaining proper relationships with these spirits ensured survival and prosperity. Shamans (tätïpi) mediated between human and spirit worlds through trance, drum, and costume. Shamanic drums were considered living beings with their own spirits. Animal ceremonialism included bear rituals similar to neighboring peoples. Death rituals involved sending the deceased to the underworld with appropriate goods. Burial practices varied, including above-ground interment in boxes or trees. Much traditional spiritual practice declined during the Soviet period; contemporary revival efforts preserve elements of this rich tradition.
Contemporary Selkup
Modern Selkup live in scattered communities across their traditional territories. The Selkup language is endangered; perhaps 1,000-1,500 speakers remain, predominantly older adults. Northern and southern dialects have diverged significantly. Soviet collectivization disrupted traditional patterns; state farms organized fishing and herding. Post-Soviet economic collapse particularly affected remote communities. Some Selkup maintain fishing and trapping; others work in wage labor, including in oil and gas extraction affecting their territories. Language documentation and cultural preservation efforts continue, including through the Tomsk regional government. Climate change affects traditional activities: river conditions change, forest composition shifts, and animal populations fluctuate. The Selkup demonstrate the cultural wealth of Siberian taiga peoples while facing the challenges common to small indigenous populations in modern Russia.
References
- Prokof'eva, E. D. (1966). The Selkups
- Helimski, E. (1998). Selkup
- Stepanova, O. B. (2015). Traditional Religious Beliefs of the Selkup