The Khanty (historically known as Ostyaks) are an indigenous Finno-Ugric people living in the West Siberian Plain of Russia. Their traditional homeland is the Ob River basin, primarily within the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug — Yugra.The Khanty language belongs to the Ugric branch of the Uralic languages. It is closely related to Mansi and more distantly to Hungarian. There are numerous dialects (Northern, Eastern, and Southern), many of which are not mutually intelligible, leading some linguists to classify them as separate languages.
According to the 2020 census, there are approximately 31,467 Khanty people in Russia.
Traditional Economy: They have historically been a semi-nomadic people relying on taiga hunting, river fishing, and reindeer herding.
Housing: Traditionally, they use the chum (a conical tent made of reindeer skin or birch bark) for seasonal moves and permanent log houses during the winter.
Transportation: To navigate the swampy and snowy Siberian terrain, they use skis, wooden dugout canoes (oblas), and sleds pulled by reindeer or dogs.
Crafts: They are known for their birch bark work, fur embroidery, and intricate beadwork.
Spirituality: Although many have formally converted to Russian Orthodoxy, they maintain strong animist beliefs and shamanic traditions.
The Bear Cult: The bear is considered a sacred ancestor. The "Bear Festival" is their most important celebration, where the killed animal is honored with dances, songs, and rituals to return its soul to heaven.
Extended info about Khanty People
