The dwellings of the peoples who have long lived on the territory of Siberia were distinguished by their originality and richness of forms. The peculiarities of the dwellings were due to natural and climatic conditions, as well as the availability of materials necessary for the construction of buildings. The traditional dwelling of the Chukchi, for example, was a portable or stationary yaranga.
Chukchi yaranga device
The Chukchi, Eskimos and Koryaks, who have lived in northeastern Asia since the Paleolithic era, used the yaranga as their home. For most nationalities, it existed in the form of stationary and portable buildings. The Chukotka yaranga had a peculiarity: it consisted of two compartments, separated by internal canopies.
The Yaranga Chukchi was a real home, perhaps devoid of the amenities typical of modern housing.
Among the Chukchi reindeer, the yaranga was both a summer and winter dwelling. The structure was based on several poles up to five meters high, which were connected at the top with a belt. Around such a base, poles with crossbeams were installed, forming the frame of the yaranga. The frame was covered with reindeer skins, which were pressed down with a load from the outside to protect the yaranga from gusty winds.
The entrance to the dwelling was usually arranged from the east or north-east side. According to legends, this side was filled with vitality. The inner space of the yaranga was divided by a canopy. It was a rectangular structure made of reindeer skins. The space thus fenced off served as a kitchen, living and sleeping quarters.
The entrance to the canopy was usually made from the side opposite to the entrance to the yaranga. In this way, it was possible to protect the dwelling from blowing out the wind.
The temperature behind the canopy was relatively high, so that even in the cold season it was possible to be there without outer clothing. The lighting and heating of the yaranga was rather primitive. For these purposes, a lamp made of clay or stone was used, where seal oil was placed, as well as a wick made of moss.
Yaranga or Chum?
The design of the traditional Chukchi yaranga was so successful that it was borrowed by other Asian peoples in a slightly modified form. The improved yaranga was slightly larger in size, and its walls were lined with turf. The Primorsky Chukchi, who lived by fishing for sea animals, instead of reindeer skins used walrus skins, fastening them to the frame with ropes with stones.
Interestingly, the chum, which is often mistakenly considered a traditional Chukchi dwelling, was actually used by other northern peoples. This was the name of a hut of a marching type, the winter version of which vaguely resembles a yaranga. But the chum, unlike the yaranga, does not have internal struts that arch the roof. The yaranga is much larger than the chum. Chum, among other things, does not always have a separate interior space enclosed by a canopy.
