Siberian Federal University

Issue

Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2026 19 (1)

Authors

Leshchinskaia, Natalia M.; Sertakova, Ekaterina A.

Contact information

Leshchinskaia, Natalia M.: Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ; ORCID: 0000-0002-1694-9080; Sertakova, Ekaterina A. : Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; ; ORCID: 0000-0002-7153-9770

Keywords

ethnic medicine; herbal medicine; folk medicine; traditional culture; Samoyedic peoples; Russia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of ethnic medicine among the Samoyedic peoples of Russia, including the Nenets, Enets, Nganasans, and Selkups. To achieve this goal, the authors examined contemporary scientific approaches to understanding ethnic medicine, as well as the history of its study. The study established the unique position of ethnic medicine as a unique form of healing, valuable not only as a practical activity aimed at maintaining and restoring health but also as being closely linked to spiritual practices. In this regard, the evolving position of official, state-sanctioned medicine in Russia toward ethnic medicine practices is of particular interest – from denial and prohibition to an integrative approach. A detailed examination of the healing practices of the Samoyedic peoples of Russia revealed similarities in their methods, combining rational and mystical practices, based on the idea that physical health depends on moral purity and a harmonious relationship with the surrounding world. However, there are also differences due to the specific characteristics of the region where they lived and the unique flora and fauna available as materials for the production of medicines

Pages

64–73

EDN

TBONLA

Paper at repository of SibFU

https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/158102

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).