Lived displacement among the Evenki of Iyengra

Abstract

This article studies the Evenki experiences and memories bound to past and present changes in their modes of living in Sakha-Yakutia. An endemic understanding of the community reflections on de-placing, or lived displacement, is advanced, both theoretically and empirically. The empirical part starts with a description of the Evenki traditions sustained in everyday life today. This is followed by a threefold reading of the Evenki reflections of displacement, focusing on (1) routines of brigades and obchinas, (2) transitions of traditions and place names, and (3) disturbances due to industrial land-use regime. The analysis is based on Evenki interviews in Iyengra between 2005-2020 and related empirical material gathered for the Evenki Atlas completed by the first of the authors of this article. A major result of the study is an in-depth Evenki view on the phases of displacement. In addition, the article demonstrates the value of endemic ethnography that favours research commitments that are both sensitive to epistemic differentiation and help in identifying the actual costs of forced and unruly de-placing.