I tried to capture the state of the ethnic cultures of Siberia at a certain period of history. An interview with Elena Petrovna Batyanova

Abstract

The interview features the editor of the journal «Anthropologies» S.S. Alymov and a researcher at the Department of the North and Siberia of the IEA RAS E.P. Batyanova. The interlocutors discuss Batyanova’s biography, her education and work activity. Particular attention is paid to the period of study at the Department of Ethnography of the History Faculty of Moscow State University and work in the Department (sector) of the North of the IEA RAS for more than 40 years as a laboratory assistant and research fellow. A large place in the interview is occupied by Batyanova’s memories of work in the ethnographic field, her participation in 40 expeditions, mainly to Southern Siberia, Chukotka and Kamchatka, and relationships with informants. Also presented are memories of colleagues and mentors, reflections on the current state of traditional cultures, problems of ethnology and the paths of its development.