From ornament to talisman: workshops at the National Centre RUSSIA showcased how Yamal preserves the crafts of peoples of the North
The National Centre RUSSIA hosted workshops organised by the
Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. Visitors learned to work with Nenets ornaments,
fur and felt, mastered bone carving and assembled pendants from reindeer
antler. Under the guidance of experienced craftspeople, participants created
memorable souvenirs and discovered the traditions, daily life and customs of
the peoples of the North.
At the "Patterns of the North" workshop,
participants worked alongside craftswomen from Novy Urengoi to create talisman
pendants featuring Nenets ornaments. Kindergarten teacher Tatyana Smetanko
explained that four ornaments were presented at the session: "Pine cone,
bear, capercaillie and sun. In Nenets tradition, these were cut from cloth or
tanned reindeer hide and used in clothing and jewellery. Each ornament carries
its own sacred meaning — it is not simply a pattern, but a talisman and a reminder
of family values."
To create their own talismans, guests used natural reindeer
fur, felt, braid, decorative ribbons and beads. A simplified version using glue
was prepared for children, while adults sewed all elements by hand. Throughout
the process, participants learned many interesting facts about the culture and
traditions of the peoples of the North.
"They told us in detail what each ornament means in
Nenets culture and which ornaments suit different people. For example, the
'bear' ornament is associated with strength and courage, so it is more suitable
for men. My brother chose it for his talisman. 'Pine cone' symbolises family
unity and togetherness — my mum chose that one. I have the 'capercaillie'
ornament. I will hang my talisman above my bed because it symbolises healthy
sleep," said eleven-year-old workshop participant Polina Levina from Volgograd.
Polina noted that she has always enjoyed creating and making
things with her own hands. She was therefore delighted with the workshop, but
she also remembered the fascinating stories about the North: how people live
there, what role women play in the family, what men do, and why ornaments for
them are not simply decorations, but talismans and part of the people's
history. The participant confessed that she now really wants to visit Yamal and
see everything with her own eyes.
The "Art of the Ancients" workshop was dedicated
to bone carving and working with reindeer antler. Artist Ivan Savitsky from
Salekhard showed visitors the carving tools, explained how patterns are applied
and how surfaces are processed.
"Each ornament has its own purpose. For example, the
'capercaillie hen' is a talisman for sleep, for women and children, while bear
or wolf tracks are for boys and men, as a symbol of strength and courage,"
the master explained.
A separate session was dedicated to assembling pendants from
pre-cut reindeer antler pieces. Under the guidance of Anastasia Kolganova,
participants created authentic chest ornaments, combining antler elements and
beads.
The workshops organised by the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area
at the National Centre RUSSIA introduced guests to ornaments, bone carving art
and the symbolism of jewellery of the peoples of the North, and allowed
everyone to take home a memorable souvenir created with their own hands.
