Flour and bread in the life support of the tunguses of central and Southern Siberia in the second half of XVII – Early XX centuries

Abstract

The article discusses the entry of flour and bread into the culture of local groups of Tungus (nowadays Evenks) in Central and Southern Siberia. It was happened due to the fall of the sable trade, which produced the long and complex dynamics of the Evenkis' life support systems, including the introduction of flour and bread into the Tungus culture. The yasak tribute collectors were supposed to prevent the leakage of furs to the peasants. At the same time, they had to allow exchange relations between the Tungus and Russians. Thus, the basis was made for the creation of an extensive unofficial network of social interaction, mutual survival and cultural contacts, where bread played an important role. The influence of social and environmental crises on the restructuring of energy sources of the Tungus life support is shown. The symbolic role of flour food is traced. The significance of flour food for the formation of hybrid forms of nature use and management is considered. The peculiarities of the flour supply chains and the contradictory social relations associated with them are revealed. From an unfamiliar and rejected product in less than two centuries, flour becomes a strategic resource important for the survival of all the Tungus groups, regardless of their economic practices: hunters and reindeer herders, hunters and pastoralists, hunters and farmers of mixed origin with Russian peasants, who were moving to a settled way of life. The value of flour is reflected in everyday practices, spiritual culture, and the development of cooking and baking technologies. The formal economy of suppling the Tungus with flour created opportunities for informal economic relations connected with flour, including gift giving, sharing, exchange, meals and treat. Thus, a comprehensive informal network of mutual social and economic relations was established, supporting the energy balance of the Tungus life. Gradually, the main social and cultural capital of the region was created – the Siberian multi-ethnic social environment.