The gluttons of eastern Siberia. Spirits, poachers, and cannibals in Evenki perceptions

• Published in: Études mongoles et sibériennes, centrasiatiques et tibétaines
• Main Author: Brandišauskas, Donatas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Evenki; reindeer herding; hunting; Transbaikal region; Buryatia; narrative; spirits; monsters; cannibalism; morality; Siberia
• Online Access: http://vu.lvb.lt/VU:ELABAPDB33775794&prefLang=en_US

In this article, I intend to show how the sociocultural changes that occurred during the Soviet period as well as current challenges are creatively reflected and incorporated into Evenki cosmology. Various malevolent beings to whom gluttony and, in some cases, anthropophagi have existed in Evenki cosmology for centuries. Today, these beings are continuously encountered in daily life and depicted in contemporary Evenki narrations. While references to the cannibalistic features of indigenous peoples were widely employed by colonial powers, today the Evenki link the influence of malevolent beings with past and current state policies, tragic events, ruptures of ethical norms, the exploitation of resources, and personal misbehaviour. These narrations enable the Evenki to promote awareness of potential dangers and teach other people appropriate moral behaviour and judgements.