The Yakut Calendar:
Echo of Antiquity

This is the short description of nature, climatic features, history, culture, traditions and customs of the Sakha people.

The Sunny Tribe People (“Kyun oulouhoun Djono”)

The age of high technologies and supersonic speeds still keeps some places on the Earth, mysterious and far-side. Such place is situated in North–East Asia . Its northern borders are guarded by ice of the Arctic Ocean . Even on the smallest map its territory of 3.103.200 sq. km looks considerably enough. It is so vast that time-zone differs in three hours from east to west. This is the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), a part of Russia since 1632. About 950 thousand people inhabit the huge spaces of Yakutia. Yakut people call themselves “Sakha”.

There are so many rivers, rivulets and lakes in Yakutia that every one could get a lake and more than 3 km2 of free land. The main river is the Lena , one of the ten world's largest rivers. The climate is sharp - continental with a long cold winter, fleeting autumn and spring and a short warm summer. The difference between winter and summer temperatures averages 100 º Centigrade. There is a famous "Pole of Cold" in the area of Oimyakon and Verkhoyansk, where temperature can reduce up to –70 º C. In winter dark polar night covers almost half of Yakutia. In spring the sun shines on round the clock. In summer the "midnight sun" is as bright, as in the afternoon. Yakutia is one of few preserved parts on the planet, you can easily get into a protogenic nature next to a city. When you come into the forest, time seems to become dense and slow. How delightful is silence of taiga which gives a unique chance to feel the breath of Antiquity! Yakutia is recognised to be an ecological donor of the Earth.

This severe land was settled by men, strong and wise, who created a unique Arctic culture. In Yakut folklore the most exact definition of the word “Yakuts” is «the Sunny Tribe People”. Only those, who so faithfully love the sun, granting the light, life and forces, can survive in the north. If one knows what is severe icy cold, clear winter silence, he especially appreciates the greens of plants and spring hubbub of the birds and warm solar beams. It is no wonder, that even nowadays Yakuts live in full harmony with the world, esteeming the cult of Nature - mother.

One of the Arctic culture properties is a solar-lunar calendar of Yakuts. It consisted of 12 months. The year began with the Month of Milk Yield, which coincided May. Months consisted of 30 days and shared for three ten-days periods according to the phases of the Moon. As the basic kind of the activity was horse and cattle breeding, spring and summer months got names according definite activity form, the less important – by the numeral designation.

MONTHS:

“ 'Yiam ‘Iya” – “Month of Milk Yield” (May)

The month is named in honor of the most glad part of stock-breeders life – Yield of Milk. The first grass sprout, the sunny day is considerably extended. It is time of spring hunting for ducks and geese. First 12 days of this month should show what kind would be next 12 months. Up to the end of the month moving to the summer farmsteads - "saiylyks" was finished. Saiylyks were in the distance from winter dwellings in the low meadows, rich by grass near the lake, named “alaas”. On an old branchy tree each family hung up the ceremonial cords "salama", twisted from white and black horse-hair to the spirit - the mistress of “alaas”.

The great number of ceremonies in the spring and summer had the main sense to protect people, horses and cattle from malicious and hostile forces and to provide the well-being of the family and the whole community. Yakuts thought, the Universe consists of three levels. In the Bottom World malicious demons – “abaahy” live. The communication with the representatives of the Bottom World was carried out by "black" shaman, the communication with inhabitants of the Heaven – by a "white" shaman. The Middle World was settled by human-beings. The deities live in the Top, the nine-tier, World. The global sacred tree of abundance “Aal Kuduk Mas” grew in the center of the Universe and connected all three worlds. The people of Sakha believe that all trees, plants, reservoirs, existing in the Middle world, are animated. Up to nowadays Yakuts feed the spirits of water, road and wood, try to behave as modestly as possible in the nature, not breaking its internal rhythm.

“Bes ‘Iya” - “Month of Pine” (June)

For Yakuts, who never grew both grain crops and vegetables, gathering of a young pine bark full of vitamins was very important: milled bark was used in food.

In the day of summer solstice the holiday of holidays “Ysyakh” is held. On the sunrise the «white shaman» said a well-disposed pray - "algys" - to Supreme Deity: the White Lord. After besprinkling the ground with “koumys” from the sacred cup “choron” the shaman addressed to other deities, asking them for the reproduction of horses and cattle. On the east side of the huge glade, where the holiday was held, a massive sacred tethering post -"serge"- was erected. Tethering post represented an image of the World tree. The top of the column was decorated with four horse heads protecting the Universe from four sides of the world. Then a ceremony with "koumys" - drink from mare's milk - a symbol of hospitality and friendship starts. In ancient times “koumys” was prepared in a big leather utensils. For a few days before Ysyakh it was put in a sacred place to absorb a solar energy. After horse races the most favorite competition up nowadays is wrestling "Khapsagai". Two contenders, irrespective of the weight, growth and age, go into the ground and first, who touches the ground with any part of the body, loses. The choral dance "Osuokhai" was devoted to the favorite Sun and represented its annual circle. People considered, during the dance sounds of their songs reached the Great sky and they were united with deities.

“Ot ‘Iya” – “Month of Grass” (July)

There is a Yakut saying: «In the haymaking – a day feeds the year». Before the beginning of the haymaking family ceremony of "the entertainment of the haying meadow» was arranged in order the spirit - Mistress of mowing would allow the work. Women and children picked sour red currant. People moved to summer pastures. On summer place – “saiylyk” a dome-shaped tent made of birch bark - "uraha" was put. A wooden winter dwelling - "balaghan" shaped a truncated cone. Yakuts so much esteemed cult of the Sun, that the entrance of each dwellings was always directed to the east. They made windows of the slices of mica and stretched bull bladder and pieces of ice in winter. “Hoton”, a warm cow-house, was adjoined to balaghan. In each court yard there was a deep cellar glacier - "bouluus" to store food products.

Yakuts even at such busy time held the games and contests. Jumps on one or two legs, wrestling "Khapsagai", the stick-wrestling are kept up to nowadays. Nowadays sports games of peoples of Yakutia are carried out every two years on the basis of national kinds of sports. The Republic of the XXI century is proud of its sportsmen – Olympic and World champions on free-style wrestling and victories in the International championships on wrestling, boxing, checkers, chess and so on.

“Atyrdjakh ‘Iya” – “Month of Pitchfork” (August)

The second stage of haying works - gathering of the mowed hay began. Later with the development of the agriculture the Yakuts had time to collect small crop of wheat. It was time to pick black currant, wild strawberry, blueberry. For winter the plants for various needs were reserved. Men continued to fish, shoot the geese and ducks flying to the south.

Yakutian fauna is extraordinary various. Not without reason the heroes almost a half of Yakut fairy tales are animals. In the ice of the Arctic ocean it is possible to see seal, walrus or even Polar bear. In the high mountains and dense forests one can meet snow ram, wolf, hare, squirrel, Manchurian deer, musk-deer, elk, wild deer, lynx and even glutton dwell. Yakutia is famous with Arctic and red foxes, sables, stoats and American minks.

Each sight of Yakutia is peculiar. An internal tourism starts to develop. Together with sportive, extreme, wild-hunting kinds an ecological tourism is getting more and more popular. Delightful landscapes, inimitable national cuisine, unique culture, warm-hearted people and a simple structure of the life will attract every real romantic.

“Balaghan ‘Iya” – “Month of Moving to Balaghan” (September)

To the beginning of the month all summer works were already completed: the grass was mowed, the hay was collected. People moved to winter wooden houses – “balagan”. Women and children repaired coating of dwellings, picked cowberry and bearberry. It was considered if the weather is dry and warm on the first half of the month, winter would come later.

The legend says that the ancestors of Yakuts had runic written language. But it was a problem to bring with themselves heavy runic stones, like those which still watch Central Asian steppes. That is why they took only one small stone with runes. Unfortunately, when they reached boundless valleys of Central Yakutia , the stone disappeared in waters of one of the rivers.

Nowadays there are all necessary conditions in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) for development of intellectual abilities and creative fulfillment of a person. A special attention is put for children. And they justify parents' trust very well, winning in international and national contents of violinists, circus actors or sportive games. The XX century was a time of dynamic development of Sakha nation, time of transition from total illiteracy to numerous educational institutions. It is hard to imagine modern Yakutia without its scientists, writers, artists, composers, opera singers and actors.

“Altynny” – “the Sixth Month” (October)

Days start to decrease gradually. From 14th day winter begins. In lakes the ice fishing of carp by nets - "mounkha" began. According to ancient traditions every participant receives his share from fishing. Before “mounkha” a ceremony devoted to the Owner of Water was held. He was asked for the good catch. Hunters also carry a similar ceremony to the Owner of Forest, asking for a lucky hunting. They also promise not to hunt to no purpose. Hundred years ago after the several snowfalls the sleigh-road took shape and it was possible to transport hay' stocks, fire wood and ice. The main breeding works were finished.

Now it was possible to engage something as interesting as useful. For example to embroider with the color beads “ounty” – the winter boots from the rein-deer fur or make new toys from rose willow for the children or decorate with a skilful groove the wooden utensils or to sew the silky dress for the summer solar holiday Ysyakh. …Imagine autumn twilight, fluffy snow is silently falling across the ice window, the fire wood crackled hardly audible in the fire-place. After supper house-keepers, their children and neighbors surrounded the old “Olonkhosut”, sitting with his back to fire. He was is an unusual visitor - the story-teller of the ancient heroic epic… The singing of Olonkhosut was as a solo performance. Old men tell, that a good story-teller could represented 6-10 different voices. So it is not surprising, that the halls of twelve republican theatres are always overflowed with grateful spectators. Special reverence is caused by writers and poets, transmitting the great value and force of Word to readers. Yakuts keep their history so carefully, that almost each city or large village has a museum.

“Setinny” – “the Seventh Month” (November)

A real winter comes: trees become covered by a rich layer of hoarfrost and the snow, protecting from frosts.

One can not stand winter cold without fat and albuminous food. Since ancient times Yakut traditional cuisine consists of meat, fish, dairy products and berries. In the XVII century thick pancakes appeared as a traditional dish. The matter is that meat of Yakut horse is ecologically pure. Therefore it is possible to have it crude, but in a frozen kind. One of delicacies of northern cuisine is frozen cut fish. Frozen products, Yakuts consider, keep useful vitamins better.

Foods were served up in wooden or birch bark dishes, decorated by patterned carving. Since their living in Central Asia Yakuts were famous by blacksmith's work and jeweler's art. They preferred to use silver than gold. Rich Yakut woman's silver jewelry could weigh up to 10 kilograms . Winter coats were made of fur or suede. Dresses were sewed of different textiles, including Chinese silk. They liked to decorate their clothes by beads, silky patterns and small silver pendants.

“Akhsinny” – “the Eighth Month” (December)

Long ago on the second ten-day period of the Month devils came from water and seven-day fortune-telling "Tangha" started. For example, to freeze water in utensils and look, how it's surface: if it is flat – for a good year; if it is swelled - for bad omen.

Do You know, why there are so many natural resources in Yakutia? As the legend tells, once upon a time God decided to enrich the Earth. When he was flying above this area, his hands had been so frozen, that he scattered the most part of the gifts. Indeed, there are all elements of Chemical table in bowels of Yakutia: coal, natural gas, oil, tin, tungsten, antimony, gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, amethysts, greenstone, chariot and other semi-precious stones. From the middle of the XX century a great success was achieved in opening deposits of minerals. Mining and other industries were founded. More than 1500 deposits were revealed. In the near future the construction of Amouro-Yakutsk railway main line will be finished. This main line from southern borders till Yakutsk – the republican capital will assist to solve a lot of economical tasks. The Republic of Sakha plans to develop diamond complex, gold-mining, jewelry, oil and gas refining industries.

“Tokhsounny” – “the Ninth Month” (January)

It is a «Month of a Rustling Woodpecker»: so quiet and so cold, that one can hear woodpecker' tap. At this time fogs are low and thick. The frost is so severe, that the ground bursts from a cold, and ice gets as hard as a granite. Yakut folklore represents frost as a mythical Bull with long thick horns. In process of weather's warming one horn breaks off, then the second horn breaks off. Yakutia is a land of permafrost. Everlasting ice can be found from 20 centimeters of soil. If ice melts, soil above collapses, water comes out and ground moves. Due to the permafrost there are a lot of fossil mammoth parts' finds in the North of Yakutia. Ancient animals lived about one million years ago and disappeared twenty thousands years ago. Mammoths looked like elephants with thick reddish hair, long tusks, 5 to 6 tons of weight and 3 to 4 meters of height.

In the middle of the last century Yakut scientists elaborated an unique method of construction on permafrost. Before it concrete buildings often gave a shrinkage because of ground' movement. Now they are built on concrete pipes, which support an air-cushion and underground ice does not melt.

The agriculture extreme conditions is also unique. In the end of XVII century Russian peasants taught the local people to cultivate land and sow cereals and grow potatoes. To the beginning XX century new, frost-resistant cereals and vegetables were raised.

“Olounny” – “the Tenth Month” (February)

It is a calendar boundary between winter and spring. Strong frosts come to an end. Days become longer, fogs gradually disappear. The sun looks out more and more often, pleasing the northerners, who have become missed it. The Tenth Month' weather reminds pure transparent sounds of “khomous” – a national Jew's harp. This small, of hand size, iron musical minion can easily express a call of crane, a trill of sky-lark or a clatter of horses hoofs...

Horse - a sacral animal of Yakuts. In Yakut epic - “olonkho” the Universe was compared to wonderful steed in the prime of its life – “the quickest four-legged Deity – the Creator”. Horse brings people fat milk, tasty meat and warm skin for clothes. Scientists have revealed similarity of modern Yakut horse with Mongolian, Kazakh and even with Japanese breeds. A peculiarity of northern small and hairy horse is, that it browses in the open all the year round can easily find livelihood from under the snow on it's own and in winter. That is why these wonderful animals need not any stabling. Hundreds years ago, when they learned haymaking, nomad Yakuts became settled stock-breeders. Because of settled way of life more attention was paid to cattle, which was kept in “khoton” – cow-house. Yakut cattle still keeps it's ancient black and reddish colors. Since cattle's care was easier, in the course of time the number of cattle predominated. Up to now horse and cattle breeding is a main kind of the rural economy.

“Kouloun Toutar” – “Foal-Nursing Month” (March)

The first month of a long-awaited spring. The name of a month is rather archaic. In fact in severe Yakutia foals are born at the end of the month, as well as calves. Long ago such an event was celebrated by the owners: addition of young animals gave a hope for a rich future.

There is one more favorite spring holiday – Day of Reindeer-Breeders. This day one can see excitable draught reindeer' races or the contest of reindeers' catching by lasso or take part in a round dance “sadje” or simply meet good friends after long winter nomadic existence. Yakuts learned to breed reindeer from the indigenous peoples of the north, populated this huge area before the coming of “the Sunny Tribe People”. A thousand years ago ancestors of the Evens and the Evenks came to the Central Lena' basin and taught the indigenes – Koryak, Chukchi, Yukagir peoples, who could earned their living only by hunt and fishing, to breed reindeer. Since antiquity reindeer was a sacral animal of many Siberian peoples. They believed that sun was alike a splendid reindeer with beaming golden antlers, which ran round the firmament from East to West. With time the Yukagirs moved on farther to the North on the banks of Kolyma river. This small antique nation still keeps his unique history, culture, language and way of life as for instance their ancient letters on birch bark – “shangar-shorile”! Until the XX century those amazing pictograms could inform about hunting and fishing routes and even express thoughts and feelings. Ancient wisdom of the Northern Minorities say, there is nothing mighty than kindness. A pure and kind soul supports ecological balance of Nature.

“Мuus Oustar” – “Ice Drifting Month” (April)

In the afternoon morning colds are replaced by a thawing weather. The sun more and more warms from zenith. All the day fun-loving streamlets run and murmur. And from growing stronger evening frosts they stiffen as though on night rest.

During 4400 kilometers beautiful Lena river brings clear waves from the south to the north and runs into the Arctic Ocean . The Lena is a main transport thoroughfare. She has 240 thousands small and large inflows. Below the Lena 's Pillars there is a mouth of “Diring-Yuriakh”, which means «a Deep Stream». Archeological excavations in this district in 80th years of the last century once again have forced to reconsider the primitive history of mankind. Maybe, the cradle of mankind is not in Africa , but here – in the country of a permafrost?!

Yakutia is a land of fishermen. Rivers and lakes are finny with more than 50 species of fish such as burbot, umber, red fish, crucian, omul, pike, sturgeon, nelma, white fish etc. Yakut fishes differ high flavoring qualities.

In spring a lot of birds from southern and southeast Asia, Africa, Australia , South America and Europe fly in vast creek of Lena river. In Yakutia one can watch kite, polar owl, peregrine, ember-goose, other various geese and ducks or to see, how white swan or rare pink seagull hatch out eggs. In summer there are 89 kinds of birds, 59 of them hatch in Yakutia. The Sakha people believe those, who once see a breeding dance of “sterkh” – white or black crane- will live long and happily.

POSTSCRIPT

Dear reader,

You have turned the last page of this book. We tried to pass You just a faint flavor of the unique nature, climatic features, old history, culture, traditions and customs of the Sunny Tribe People. Let us hope that you have got an irresistible desire to see an exotic North and very soon come to our wonderful land in order to hear the echo of Antiquity!

EDITORIAL BOARD

Drafting council: Professor of Psychology Mrs. Evgenia Mikhailova, Mr. Andrei Borisov, Mr. Arian Ermolaev, Doctor of History Mr. Egor Shishigin.

Historical consultant: Professor of History Mr. Anatoly I. Gogolev.

Art director: Mr. Arian Ermolaev

Idea of Mrs. Touiaara Pestriakova

Text by Ms. Jane Sleptsove, Ms. Tatyana Roufova

Designer: Mr. Nikolai Fedorov

Photos: Ms. E. Arbugaeva, Mr. V. Yakovlev, Mr. A. Nazarov, Mr. P. Okoneshnikov, Mr. O. Nikolaev, Mr. A. Ermolaev, Ms. V. Neustroeva, Mr. A. Stepanov, Mr. N. Fedorov

English text by: Mrs. Jane Sleptsova, Ms. Tatyana Roufova

The releases were used from the Russian Museum of Ethnography, the National Arts' Museum of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Yakut State Local-Lore Museum of History and Culture, National Library of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Ministry of Environment' Protection of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).