Indigenous Cultures

The indigenous peoples of Far East Russia include Evenki, Even, Udegei, Nanai, Ulchi, Oroch, Negidal, Nivkhi, Chukchi, Itelmen, and Koryak. Some of the Evenki were traditionally hunters and reindeer herders, while others were farmers. The Even, formerly a sub-group of the Evenki, were reindeer herders. The Koryak and the Chukchi herded reindeer in the interior and hunted marine mammals on the coast.

Although SEND missionaries have not worked exclusively with these unreached people groups, SEND has helped to train various Russian nationals, who are serving among Russia's indigenous peoples. At least one of the current Bible college students comes from the Nanai people group. For a few years, Anatoly (Tolya) Drobyaskin, a graduate of Far East Russia Bible College, and his wife Yulya served in Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomyous Oblast, among the indigenous Chukchi people. The church in Provideniya, Chukotka, planted by SEND missionaries, Robert & Robin Crane, is increasingly seeking to reach the Chukchi in their area. And the church in Magadan, with the help of the Cranes, has been involved in an outreach to the Even people in the Magadan oblast.

Culturally, FER’s indigenous people resemble Native Americans. They are historically hunters and gatherers. They express themselves artistically through intricately ornamented articles of utility, such as clothing, weapons, and “kitchenware” (spoons, baskets, bowls.) Certain groups are especially noted for their expertise in woodcarving and in sewing with fish leather.

Spiritually they are animistic and shamanistic, believing in a supernatural world in which all living creatures, as well as wood, water, and stone, possess consciousness, power, and spirit. The fall of Communism has resulted in a revival of shamanistic religions among Russia’s indigenous people groups, in addition to cultural revival and increasing group-consciousness.

Below are some resource pages where you can learn more about FER’s indigenous peoples. Many of these articles have been translated from Russian or from an indigenous language:

• Excellent short sketches of several people groups, along with photographs and links
• Online newsletter written by members of various Far East Russian native people groups
• Articles and photos of the Amur River Cultures, the Even, the Koryak of Kamchatka, and the Chukchi: "Crossroads of Continents: Peoples of Siberia" (includes Far East Russia).

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“The Russian Soul”

“Christianity, if practiced in the ideal, seems especially suited to the Russian character. Russians are preeminently a pious, compassionate and humble people, accepting faith as more powerful than logic and believing that life is controlled by superhuman forces…. Russians feel far less need than most pragmatic Westerners to inquire why things happen, or how they can be made to happen (or not happen) again. Disasters occur and they accept; orders are issued and they obey. This is something other than brute docility. It stems rather from a sense of the natural rhythms of life. Russians are contemplative, mystical and visionary. From their observations and meditations, they have produced an understanding of suffering and death which gives a meaning to life not unlike that affirmed by Christ.”—Robert Massie, Peter the Great

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Russian Baptist Culture

Helpful articles by Mark Harris of the US Center for World Mission

We Worship You, Lord

Traditional Russian Baptists have developed a distinctive worship style, which is not practiced by all churches in FER. When a Sunday morning service begins, the pastor stands before the church and says, “Mir vam!” (Peace to you). With a single voice the congregation responds, “S’miram.” (With peace). Then a great rustling noise fills the sanctuary as the people rise to pray. They will stand every single time they pray throughout the church service. They will stand when they sing hymns that could be interpreted as prayers; they will stand while they listen to the choir sing such hymns. More than likely they stand to say grace before meals in their homes.

Two or three preachers will deliver sermons of about 20 minutes each. The most important pastor will preach last, and he will weave together the messages of the men who spoke before him. Between sermons perhaps there will be special music, or perhaps someone will read or recite a Christian poem. Poetry reading and recitation are extremely popular in Russia, in church, on the stage, on television, and even on cassette tapes.

Throughout the church service children and young people will work their way toward the front of the church and place slips of paper on the altar. Near the end of the service the pastor will read aloud the prayer requests written on these slips. "The congregation will pray together for their requests. Then the pastor will ask if anyone has greetings to deliver. Several people will stand and say something along the lines of "I bring greetings from the Christian brothers in Komsomolsk," and to each person the pastor will respond "Prinimayim." (We accept).

After all the greetings have been given, the congregation will stand and in unison say, "Syerdaychna blagadarim!" (We are thankful from our hearts). The pastor will then say in Russian, "If anyone has opportunity to visit or write other believers, we ask you to give greetings from our church," and the congregation will respond "Prosim!" (We ask.) Then they will begin to greet one another, calling each other “brother” and “sister.” Men and women shake hands with one another and say “Privyetstvuyu.” Men embrace men and women embrace women. Brother will kiss brother on the mouth, and sister will kiss sister.

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One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Baptism is extremely important to Russian Baptists. To them, a believer’s Christian life has not truly begun until he or she has been baptized, and they make a candidate wait sometimes a year or more before permitting him to be baptized. Perhaps this goes back to the “bad days” in Russia, when church members wanted to watch a new convert closely for a long time to make sure he wasn’t trying to infiltrate the church. Baptism was the final big step, the public declaration before a hostile world that an individual had chosen to identify himself with the persecuted Christians. Such a step could mean no job, no education, and sometimes even prison.

Baptisms in Russia today take place at a lake, a river, the seaside, or a swimming pool. The baptizers and the baptismal candidates all wear white robes—sometimes specially made for the purpose, sometimes simply white lab coats. If many people are scheduled to be baptized on one day, sometimes several pastors will officiate. Assisted by deacons, the candidates wade out into the water. The pastor asks, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?” The candidate replies, “I believe.” And then, all at once if several pastors are officiating, the candidates are dipped under the water. They wade to shore with their faces full of joy. Sometimes they are singing.

After changing into dry clothes, each candidate is given a flower or a bouquet. They kneel in a row, the pastors pray over each one individually, and then the ceremony has come to an end. Everyone adjourns to church, where the newly baptized believers partake of their very first Holy Communion.

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Russkiiye Zakuskii (Russian Tidbits)

When in Russia ….

A married Russian wears his or her wedding ring on the ring finger of the right hand. A ring worn on the ring finger of the left hand indicates divorce or widowing.

A Russian hostess neither expects nor wants her guests’ help in serving them. She perceives that as her job and her privilege. If you try to help, your hostess will likely say, “Nyet, vy gostii.” (No, you are a guest.)

In private Russians can get noisy, but in public, in general, they tend to be very quiet. Even the children are quiet.

Russians love flowers. Flowers are sold all along the streets in summer. Flowers are a traditional gift for birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries, and as hostess gifts. But it’s important to remember that Russians always give an ODD number of flowers; an even number of flowers is given only for a funeral.

In Russia it’s unthinkable for an older person to live in an “old folks’ home” if he or she has a child to live with.

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[from Dictionary of 1000 Russian Proverbs, edited by Peter Mervago, and An Introduction to the Russian Soul, by Ralph and Jennifer Ennis with Paula Rinehart.]