Ethnographies

The Sakha, formerly known as the Yakuts, are a Turkic-speaking people who migrated from southern Siberia to the Lena River region in northern Central Siberia between the 13th and 15th centuries. They brought horse breeding with them and adapted it to the northern regions. Horse breeding has remained an important economic resource for the Sakha, providing meat, milk, and important materials. The special role of the horse in the life of the Sakha is reflected in many aspects of their lives, as well as in their worldview and in  festivals of reconciliation with nature.

The life and culture of the Sakha were first described by explorers. The first comprehensive ethnological descriptions were made at the end of the 19th century, mainly by Waldemar Jochelson during the Sibiryakov expedition. Together with the results of the later Jesup North Pacific Expedition, he was able to supplement and finally compile a comprehensive account.

The cultural life of the Sacha reaches its annual highlight during the Ysyach festival, which celebrates the rebirth of nature after the usually harsh winters. Many of the ritual objects and other festive clothing used in this festival are now in museum collections.