The “Bear” Ladle N’khyr: Ritual Vessel or Example of Nivkhi Decorative Art

Abstract

This article examines one of the ritual utensils from the Nivkhi «bear festival» — the «bear» ladle n’khyr. Russian ethnographers, art historians, and museologists have considered this item as just one of many ritual objects. The researchers have unanimously noted its uniqueness and distinctiveness among ritual utensils. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined this item comprehensively: its design features, the techniques used to apply ornamental and sculptural compositions with their profound sacred meaning, and its role as a unique example of decorative art. This article is an attempt to fill this gap. Another reason for examining this topic was the appearance of the n’khyr on the souvenir market. Since the mid-20th century, the «bear festival» has disappeared from the Nivkhi ritual practices, and the «bear» ladle has not been carved, but in the 21st century, attempts are being made to revive the production of this item. Despite the high level of skill of the carvers, the sacred meaning of the n’khyr is being lost, and ornamental compositions are being constructed arbitrarily, without regard for their symbolic significance. In this situation, there is a risk of the «bear» ladle becoming a utilitarian object. Therefore, it seems relevant to address the topic outlined in the title, providing a detailed description of the purpose of this object and the nuances of the ritual depicted on «bear» vessels. The author studied the «bear» ladles n’khyr from five museum collections across the country and analyzed their ornamental compositions. The study allowed the author to add a third type of imagery on the ladle to the two existing. It also highlights its significance as a sacred symbol of the ritual and as a unique example of decorative and applied art, which serves as a historical source for understanding religious rites practiced in the recent past.

References

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