So can we start?
Yes.
Yes, tell, what is your name? Yes.
Yes, tell, what is your name?
My name is Aleksey Filippovits.
Hozainov. My name is Aleksey Filippovits.
Hozainov.
And in which year you were born?
58.
Aa.
Thousand ninehundred fifty eight.
And you were born here? Thousand ninehundred fifty eight.
And you were born here?
I was born here, here.
Aha. I was born here, here.
Aha.
In Gam, in this region.
And have you lived in Gam constantly?
Yes, constantly.
Just served in the army.
And where did you serve in the army? Just served in the army.
And where did you serve in the army?
I served for 2 years, in 76-78.
1.5 years in Germany, half a year - in a bootcamp, in Chelyabinsk oblast.
Ah, yes. 1.5 years in Germany, half a year - in a bootcamp, in Chelyabinsk oblast.
Ah, yes.
Aha.
And what was your job here?
After the army I learnt to be a driver,
then I was working as a driver for 5 years.
Then I was already married, got married.
Then kids were born, then started to build a house.
And because work permanently consisted of trips and journeys,
you don't really come back to home, and then I went to work temporarily,
a bolier room was launched in a school, so as a boiler fireman.
I thought, 2-3 years, but was working there for 24 years.
Because life turned upside down, changed,
there was no work anywhere,
it is possible to say that I had a really good job -
at least, I got a yearly salary.
So it turnes to be that you are relatives or?
We are not direct relatives, but Vasya's brother
is my daughter's husband.
A husband. is my daughter's husband.
A husband. A husband.
Aha, I understand.
If in Komi, yes, yes, yes, if so we are the relatives.
Yes.
And your, your wife - is she a school teacher?
She teaches at the school.
Isn't she from Gam?
No, she's not, she is from Knyazhpogost rayon, it's a neighboring district.
Ah, No, she's not, she is from Knyazhpogost rayon, it's a neighboring district.
Ah,
where did you meet each other?
Meet each other? Here, she came to work.
A Komi language teacher?
Yes, yes, yes.
How many children do you have?
We have three daughters.
Three daughters?
Three daughters, yes.
We got acquainted with Alena yesterday. Three daughters, yes.
We got acquainted with Alena yesterday.
Yes. We got acquainted with Alena yesterday.
Yes.
Aha.
She lives in Izhma.
She lives in Izhma, we made a house, they built and
moved to Izhma, there they live together with husband and daughter, with a kid - all three.
And two daughters are in the capital - in Syktyvkar.
Ah, in Syktyvkar.
In Syktyvkar, yes, live and work there.
For a long time already? In Syktyvkar, yes, live and work there.
For a long time already?
Yes, already, since they graduated, then they stayed there, since that time.
Do you already have grandchildren?
There I have two grandsons.
Hmm.
Masha has, my second daughter, one kid is 6 years old, and second one is a half year old, one year and a half, 1.5-year-old.
Do they come in the summer?
In the summer, yes, grandchildren are all summer long here.
Aleksey Filippovich' house is full of children.
Well, full, not full, but it's interesting.
Trying to, well, to help with children, to tend.
Mmm.
So far we can.
Household?
Well, household, now we have only two horses.
Earlier we had a cow,
even earlier - a goat, chickens,
rabbits, in that time when salary wasn't paid, in 1990s and
and beginning of 2000s.
Our household was very helpful.
And now what, milk, well milk, if in Komi, isn't received anywhere and that's why
many people decided to refuse cows.
Aha. many people decided to refuse cows.
Aha.
The neigbours as well.
Few people
Yes.
To compare - only one entity,
I remember when my grandmother was still alive, To compare - only one entity,
I remember when my grandmother was still alive,
the herds were.
There was an entire herd in Zloba, the herds were.
There was an entire herd in Zloba,
and now, well, they pasture just several cows in the summer.
Yes, yes, yes.
and now, well, they pasture just several cows in the summer.
Maybe, it's unprofitable.
But many people here have horses.
Hmm. But many people here have horses.
Hmm.
Horses? Hmm.
Horses?
Yes, some people have, maybe, seven or so horses.
And previously also a lot (horses)?
Previously, kolkhoz had, kolkhoz and sovkhoz had.
Private owners didn't have, but then during last
15-20 years they started to keep horses.
Aha. 15-20 years they started to keep horses.
Aha.
In the summer hay ...?
Hay, well, hay, well, now sovkhoz's fields are
all distributed, and here, beyond the river, beyond the Kurya, in Rassai hay is maken.
They make hay in Krukasyan.
There are meadows available now.
So, there's no problem.
Earlier there were no meadows, and we had to buy from the kolkhoz.
Mm.
And where did you build this house?
We moved to this house, well,
in 88 - 25 years ago.
Aha.
Hmm, this,
I wanted to recall something, why is Zloba called Zloba - don't you remember?
Ah, Zloba, I don't know,
is it true or not, but said to be that
one neighbour's house broke into flames, and another neighbour
Ah. one neighbour's house broke into flames, and another neighbour
Ah. Aha. one neighbour's house broke into flames, and another neighbour
Ah. one neighbour's house broke into flames, and another neighbour
went outside and seemed to warm hands, instead of helping to put out a fire.
But I don't know is it true or not.
Maybe, somebody maked it up.
But such a version exists.
Mm. But such a version exists.
That's why Zloba.
Aha.
Zloba place, so and so it's Gam.
Have you heard anything about Tandze Marja?
Tandze Marja, mm, but I was small when she was here, but
I know that she helped a lot of people, she was a bonesetter.
She, I've heard that she grew up, lived in tundra.
She herself had a lot of reindeers, and she taught herself how to cure the reindeer fawns, and she had it from there.
Even people from far away, from the cities and oblasts, came to her.
But she never took money from anybody.
Mm. But she never took money from anybody.
She was a traditional practitioner.
Did she cure anybody from your relatives, your parents? She was a traditional practitioner.
Did she cure anybody from your relatives, your parents?
My father, she cured my father's arm,
well, set a bone, maybe, there was a dislocation.
That's why I still remember it.
She was so.
People say that she was very, well, her husband was rich.
Yes, she had a lot of reindeers, she herself was also very rich.
Aha.
So.
Tandze Marja.
She, she is highly respected, for instance,
everybody mends a fence (on her grave).
People come from Izhma to mend,
even strangers come.
So.
It's ...? Relatives.
Are there this kind of people now, who know how to cure?
Now? Now, we have a neigbour here, she can cure, let's assume,
well, if somebody hits a head or gets injured, for instance,
brain concussion or what, she somehow takes and
with string or cord
measure everything very well
and looks, and somehow by hands insert.
We even have a 80-year-old granny nearby.
Mm. We even have a 80-year-old granny nearby.
Mm.
There was a granddaughter of Tandze Marja in Mokhcha, I believe so, or daughter, or granddaughter, I don't remember.
Her name was Tamara, and our
boss told us somewhere, when he had worked in Izhma,
he had been having headaches for many years, his head had ached and ached, nothing had helped.
somebody told him: "Go, go there".
He went, and this woman, already drunk a bit, honestly,
did and that was it.
After that he didn't have any headaches.
She (Tandze Marja) also had
a daughter, I beLieve so, but maybe, a granddaughter - I don't remember exactly.
There are this kind of people.
But less nowadays, surely.
Are there any other grandchildren of Tandze Marja?
I don't know if there are any other grandchildren in Gam.
Mada Nuk? I don't know if there are any other grandchildren in Gam.
Mada Nuk?
Mada Nuk - he isn't Tandze Marja's or her?
Well, possibly, he is also a relative, maybe, he is a great grandson, maybe, he is.
Aha. Well, possibly, he is also a relative, maybe, he is a great grandson, maybe, he is.
Aha.
And what your relatives, grandparents and relatives did do, were they reindeer herders or?
We, I don't have any reindeer herders, well, honestly, my mother's
sister moved to Nenets Autonomous Okrug, she married to a reindeer herder.
They constantly visited us, always brought venison, malitsa, and pimy.
So, we have
one grandfather had his own household,
he already before, he died during the war.
And another one had very beautiful hand-writting, and
we say, in old army,
well, during the war, in 1941-45, he was in Vorkuta,
where the German war prisonners were, he worked there as a clerk, very beautiful handwritting.
Mm.
My father had very beatiful handwritting too, but mine is alredy not that beautiful.
Aha. My father had very beatiful handwritting too, but mine is alredy not that beautiful.
Aha.
I'm not bragging.
Mm.
Yesterday Alena told that somebody from your relatives moved beyond the Urals.
Yes, we have them, they came here last year.
We are regarded as Kalush's family, they were blacksmiths, that's why from the father side our family is regarded as Kuznets' (blacksmith) family.
We also have cousins - second or third cousins, well, distant relatives.
And
beyond the Urals, that is how it is called, beyond the Urals.
They came from there, from Khanty-Mansiysk, and
they are also searching (their relatives), they are also from the Kalush's family.
There's no connection, there are no (old) relatives left,
Ah. There's no connection, there are no (old) relatives left,
somebody to be asked, nothing is written.
I want - somebody to be asked, nothing is written.
I want -
Family records and so on, for instance.
Where do they live?
Mm.
They live somewhere in Khanty-Mansiysk, I don't know, I don't know where exactly.
What was his name?
Maybe, Alena knows?
Alena, Alena, Alena, maybe, has his address, I don't have it, for sure.
Mm. Alena, Alena, Alena, maybe, has his address, I don't have it, for sure.
Mm.
Aha.
(...) said. Aha.
(...) said.
Yes, beyong the Urals, yes.
In Komi it's called "Iz saj".
Mm. In Komi it's called "Iz saj".
Mm.
The reindeer herders moved beyond the Urals long time ago.
Somebody - by the reindeer, others - by something else.
Have you told that your mother had a sister or somebody in Nenets okrug?
Ah, there, yes, my mother's sister.
(...)
Where was she? (...)
Where was she?
She lived in Kharey-Ver.
In Kharey-Ver? She lived in Kharey-Ver.
In Kharey-Ver?
Kharey-Ver - I think it's not that far from Vorkuta.
What was her name? Kharey-Ver - I think it's not that far from Vorkuta.
What was her name?
Marja, her name was Marja Nikolaevna.
Marja Nikolaevna? Marja, her name was Marja Nikolaevna.
Marja Nikolaevna?
Aha.
But nowadays she has
sons and daughters, grandchildren, for some reason we don't communicate a lot.
Really?
Previously, it was
for instance, if we go there, then it is necessary to ask permission from the border guards, border patrol.
There was a restricted-access zone, I don't know, nowadays, it's not like this.
Mm.
Have you been there yourself?
I haven't come there, I haven't been there.
I havent' been there. I haven't come there, I haven't been there.
My brother went there. Many years ago. I didn't go.
Hm.
Are there many people who have moved somewhere?
Yes, many moved there.
Somebody to the Kola Peninsula? Yes, many moved there.
Somebody to the Kola Peninsula?
The Kola Peninsula, yes, many moved there as well.
Do you know, is there somebody, is there somebody yours?
Ours, I don't know, I don't remember.
Mm.
We, I think, here they started to go in recent years, right?
Aha. We, I think, here they started to go in recent years, right?
Aha. Ten years, when in Izhma they began to conduct "Lud" festival.
Then people started to come here, their own relatives and so
to search, well.
search. to search, well.
search.
And many have even found already.
Aha. And many have even found already.
Aha.
Somebody comes somewhere every year.
Aha.
And why did they move away from there? Aha.
And why did they move away from there?
Well, they moved away,
maybe, in a search for better life, and also they moved with the reindeers, to the pastures.
The reindeers, big number of the reindeers also needs pastures.
Aha. The reindeers, big number of the reindeers also needs pastures.
Aha. So they went there, were not afraid.
No fear, ha, by the reindeers.
Aha.
Well, even in Finland there are Komi Izhmetsy living there.
Yes. Well, even in Finland there are Komi Izhmetsy living there.
Several people. Yes. Well, even in Finland there are Komi Izhmetsy living there.
Several people. Yes.
Several people.
Yes, several people, several people.
Several people. Somewhen there was a telecast by Alexandr Pivkin, he is a journalist, he tells interestingly.
It's called Komi Laplandia. Somewhen there was a telecast by Alexandr Pivkin, he is a journalist, he tells interestingly.
It's called Komi Laplandia. Yes, Komi Laplandia, and he was there,
now I don't remember,
he asked, said, well, I need, where, he said
some kind of reindeers' conference, maybe, it was in Finland or so.
? some kind of reindeers' conference, maybe, it was in Finland or so.
? he asked, well, how do I know who are the Komi Izhemtsy?
And then somebody said very interestingly:
who has, he said, a dagger on the belt, he, he said, is a Komi Izhemets, because they are used to permanently take a dagger with them.
Here people are also like them, so (take) everything with them, on the belt such a beautiful
Hmm.
tasma.
So, Pivkin (told) it so interestingly.
Mm. So, Pivkin (told) it so interestingly.
Mm.
Yes, he made (the reports) from everywhere, he is going like this. Mm.
Yes, he made (the reports) from everywhere, he is going like this.
It's called Komi Laplandia.
They called it Komi Laplandia.
It's called Komi Laplandia.
Yes, yes, (...) It's called Komi Laplandia.
It was, it was.
Yes, yes, (...) It was, it was.
Yes.
Well, and what did people do in our village in former times?
When in former times, before the kolkhozes?
Yes. When in former times, before the kolkhozes?
Yes. Well, farming, stock breeding, they themselves
well, our grandfathers made meadows out of the forsets themselves, but now all these forest meadows are abandoned, nobody is taking care of them, so they just lie there.
Aha. well, our grandfathers made meadows out of the forsets themselves, but now all these forest meadows are abandoned, nobody is taking care of them, so they just lie there.
Aha.
Yes.
Then hunting, majority of people were hunting.
Fishing, in that times they had everything.
The river was so good, profitable, nowadays, it has decreased a lot.
They said that in Gam they made bricks very well.
Ah, clay was also very good, not only in Gam, but also in Mokhcha, and in Gam, and so
the churches here were built using our bricks, they are so solid.
Aha. the churches here were built using our bricks, they are so solid.
Clay itself is of very high quality, clay is high quality.
Do you remember bricks production?
I remember bricks production, how
the neighbours gathered themselves to make stoves and so on
Approximately three-four families gathered together,
then, you know when you are going from the school to our side and there are holes there, behind the school, maybe you remember, they are still there.
Aha. then, you know when you are going from the school to our side and there are holes there, behind the school, maybe you remember, they are still there.
So. So they cut the grass,
then they watered, I think, watered, I was yound, don't remember well,
and the horses trampled this clay.
The horses trampled, a boy bestrided a horse.
Ah. The horses trampled, a boy bestrided a horse.
It tramples, batters, then
such, by hands, they are so, what's its name - glob or?
So they made a heap out of the globs, then in a hayloft
dryed them and
women, womenfolk made bricks then.
There is a special, what's its name,
square brick's
Aha. square brick's
Aha. Aha. square brick's
stamp or not, what's it?
They made it, then dryed and
all the stoves were made out of it.
Mm.
Nowadays, honestly, I don't know, in recent times, maybe, and.
Did they do anything else out of clay? Nowadays, honestly, I don't know, in recent times, maybe, and.
Did they do anything else out of clay?
Out of clay - I don't know, generally, they made bricks.
But old stoves, I (was) in Upper Gam,
nowadays they are not already, but there was
a 100-year-old house, our neighbours', when we lived in a rented house,
and they had a monolite stove.
It wasn't made out of bricks, but it seemed like it was molded.
Ah. It wasn't made out of bricks, but it seemed like it was molded.
Ah. all the stove, well, clay.
I don't know how it was maken. It belonged to the family of Goruu Galina, where the family of Svetlana lives.
Whose is that stove? I don't know how it was maken. It belonged to the family of Goruu Galina, where the family of Svetlana lives.
Ah. I don't know how it was maken. It belonged to the family of Goruu Galina, where the family of Svetlana lives.
And the stove was the same age as the house, and nothing, no splits, nothing was (on the stove).
Without bricks? And the stove was the same age as the house, and nothing, no splits, nothing was (on the stove).
Without bricks?
Without bricks, monolite stove, it was made somehow like that.
Then it was dismantled.
It was a Russian stove.
Aha.
Do you know any stove setter, who made the stoves well in previous years?
Well, what in former times,
before there were special (people), for instance, in my childhood, for instance, a person builds a house,
and in generally, what he can, an owner tries to make everything he can by himself.
And previously, for example, there were few stove setters, who made only stoves, for instance.
Somebody put window frames and such things, so, such.
Aha. Somebody put window frames and such things, so, such.
Aha. Mm. Somebody put window frames and such things, so, such.
Windows frames [Ramajas] - so you call a window?
Window, well, window frame.
Well, it's window frame and window frame's jamb.
Window frame's jamb? Well, it's window frame and window frame's jamb.
Window frame's jamb?
No, no, there's no such thing, we don't have such thing.
No? No, no, there's no such thing, we don't have such thing.
Aha.
But we, probably, in Izhma there are some, maybe, it's borrowed from the Russians.
And here before
during your youth, let's say, were brides somewhere from Ust-Tsilma or Russians from somewhere,
Russian-speaking (...)?
Ah, did we took?
Took. Ah, did we took?
Maybe, they were, but nowadays
from everywhere, who how (finds).
Mm. from everywhere, who how (finds).
Mm.
Then, people from the same village (don't marry) so that
descendants accidentally (will not marry), and descendants will not have
Mixed blood? descendants accidentally (will not marry), and descendants will not have
Mixed blood?
mixed blood, yes, who know, maybe, second (cousin) or some (relative)
get married.
Maybe, previously the Nenets live here?
The Nenets, well, people here say that our Izhemtsy tool reindeers from the Nenets, well,
sort of took to themselves,
took, who how, as one could, and he took.
There were not any real Nenets in the village?
Well, they, the real Nenets, generally,
In tundra? Well, they, the real Nenets, generally,
In tundra? in tundra and also
in the villages, in the worker's settlements.
For instance, same Khorey-Ver, maybe, somewhen in Soviet times was established, I don't remember, I don't know, cannot say it.
Aha. For instance, same Khorey-Ver, maybe, somewhen in Soviet times was established, I don't remember, I don't know, cannot say it.
Aha.
But reindeers, first reindeers, of course, were taken from the Nenets.
Somebody bought, somebody (did) some other way.
Reindeer herders (...)?
I was in tundra, before every village, each kolkhoz had its own brigade (in tundra).
Mm. I was in tundra, before every village, each kolkhoz had its own brigade (in tundra).
Mm.
Then I, reindeers went together.
Here we have your neighbour Yegor, Kanev Yegor,
Pakes' Yegor,
he also went to tundra.
Yes. he also went to tundra.
There are the residents of Upper Gam.
And then when the kolkhozes were united into the sovkhozes,
in Sizyabsk, which is in 10 km from here, it became specifically in general for the reindeer herding .
All the reindeers were united there.
Mm. All the reindeers were united there.
Mm.
Aha, sort of common farm unit became, reindeer.
Before was in every kolkhoz.
How many reindeers were in Sizyabsk?
I don't know, many thousands so.
There, maybe, from the lower villages are also included?
From Kipievo - they are near Kipievo and Brykalansk, I think, there is a
brigade. But they are also included in, maybe, Sizyabsk.
Mm. brigade. But they are also included in, maybe, Sizyabsk.
Mm.
And when do they (reindeer herders) come and when do they leave?
Well,
in autumn, when the rivers, maybe, freeze, they started to return from tundra,
usually they come in the end of December.
Aha. usually they come in the end of December.
Aha.
In the forests and so on,
this year I haven't seen (them) near Irayel, sometime they occur even near Irayel.
I've seen also. this year I haven't seen (them) near Irayel, sometime they occur even near Irayel.
I've seen also. reindeer herds, yes, this year I haven't seen reindeer herds.
And they are usually till spring,
the Annunciation is on the 7th of April, right?
Yes. the Annunciation is on the 7th of April, right?
Yes. Somewhen in this time they return back to tundra.
Haven't you heard, did they offer a reindeer in sacrifice during the Annunciation in the Sizyabsk church? Haven't you heard?
I don't know it, don't know.
I've read it somewhere. I don't know it, don't know.
I've read it somewhere.
Aha.
But we didn't actually have any sacrifical offering or did we?
There were some. But we didn't actually have any sacrifical offering or did we?
There were some.
I don't know, maybe, they have their own (ritual).
Aha.
Mm.
Such (things) your father knows better, he is in fact
We have asked him. Such (things) your father knows better, he is in fact
We have asked him. his grandfather and your great grandfathers were from Sizyabsk.
Aha. his grandfather and your great grandfathers were from Sizyabsk.
Aha.
In the end
Sizyabsk kindred is from the father's side, the Chuprovs family.
He should know better.
Niko, ask a question.
Now, now, now. Niko, ask a question.
Now, now, now.
During the process.
And you yourself, do you have a hunting lodge or something like that? During the process.
And you yourself, do you have a hunting lodge or something like that?
I don't, I don't have a hunting lodge.
Don't you hunt? I don't, I don't have a hunting lodge.
Don't you hunt? I, I don't, don't do it.
Aah. I, I don't, don't do it.
Aah.
Previously, when I had a gun , in spring and so, when the ducks arrive, went hunting, now - not.
Do you fish?
I like spin fishing and legering and such
by the improvised means, I don't like to net fish, although I weave nets a lot.
Do you need to go far to fish?
To fish, well, to fish with an angle - from two kilometers and
it's, for instance, to Krukasyan eight kilometers, in general, eight kilometers.
Mm. it's, for instance, to Krukasyan eight kilometers, in general, eight kilometers.
Mm.
There was a time when we went and slept over there, and nowadays it's
until make hay in summer, and you will not notice (the summer), rarely.
Mm.
Niko is highly interested in microtoponymy,
tell, please, what meadows do we have in Gam?
Yes.
Ah, names?
Yes. Ah, you need to ask your father about it, he knows everything about it.
Yes, your father told everything. Ah, you need to ask your father about it, he knows everything about it.
Yes, your father told everything. My father probably told. Ah, you need to ask your father about it, he knows everything about it.
My father probably told. He knows all the names.
He told me something, yes. He knows all the names.
He told me something, yes.
Which names? The names of the meadows or which?
Yes, meadows' names. Which names? The names of the meadows or which?
Meadows' and others. Yes, meadows' names. Which names? The names of the meadows or which?
Meadows' and others. Yes, meadows' names.
Meadows' and others.
Well, there is a Yerushka meadow in Krukasyan.
I remember, Yerushka.
It's near a lake, near a river it's located.
But generally, meadows are named
after the names of the lakes, there are many lakes there, so.
Aha. after the names of the lakes, there are many lakes there, so.
Aha. For instance, Krukasyan ty bok, for example, there is Kresta ty bok.
Well, the meadows are the same as the lakes, that's why their names are connected.
Krukasyan jur, it's near Kulim.
Somehow it was also called Motor, I don't know why Motor.
Ah. Somehow it was also called Motor, I don't know why Motor.
Ah.
And here, how are the meadows located here - they are near the lakes?
And a lake is near a river?
Yes, lake, lake, yes, yes, but the river also together, in general, it extends down the river, near the river the meadow extends.
What?
There are also lakes,
there are in Krukasyan right on the meadows.
Aha.
It is said that nowadays there is less water, there is less water in the river, water moves away, is there less water nowadays? Aha.
It is said that nowadays there is less water, there is less water in the river, water moves away, is there less water nowadays?
Water, yes, water now, of course, even the Pechora has dried out somehow.
Didn't they dry out in your youth?
No, yes, we even, I remember,
well, in summer even the dredges were floating specifically, in order to escort barges and ships.
In every spring the barges went up until here, to Izhma.
Nowadays, that's all, nowadays they only until Pechora, maybe, go up, and even
Irayel [road] was built, and they go via Irayel.
I remember very well, even a passenger motor ship.
I hadn't yet studied in the school, and it floated here across Izhma.
At that time the river was bigger.
And then, this floating, drift floating for how many years (was).
Floating was also. And then, this floating, drift floating for how many years (was).
Probably, for 15 years, there's no (floating).
Ah. Probably, for 15 years, there's no (floating).
Ah. Or twenty, no, no, not more.
Floating was cancelled, it damages the river a lot, the river grows shallow.
We had floating up the Izhma.
For many-many years.
And before (was it possible) to reach Izhma by plane?
Previously, by plane, yes, flew, previously, a plan landed on an island between Izhma and Mokhcha.
Yes. Previously, by plane, yes, flew, previously, a plan landed on an island between Izhma and Mokhcha.
Yes. Just unsurfaced (landing site), it landed right on the unsurfaced site.
And in 70, in 77 or 78, here
they built this aerodrome, where this big TU-154 landed.
It (aerodrome) was big already, it accommodated YAK-40 and such
big aeroplanes, turboprop.
It has been for already many years
closed, but now they want to open it again, already bought the Czech aeroplanes.
Ah. closed, but now they want to open it again, already bought the Czech aeroplanes.
Ah. Probably, they will restore small aircraft back.
Was the Irayel road there already?
The Irayel road was only a winter road.
Yes. The Irayel road was only a winter road.
Yes.
Approximately from the end of December till, or from January till, well, spring, till April.
After that it wears down.
Mm. After that it wears down.
Mm.
It's called a winter road.
Anything else?
And here, here are also other villages: Mokhcha, where does it start?
Yel?
Aha.
Mokhcha, then
if from here, from Gam, the names are Mokhchoyur,
then Mokcha, then Tod,
then Bakur,
and further from Bakur - Varysh and Yel, and in the very end - Sizyabsk.
Aha, yes.
Sizyabsk, it's big.
Are there any interspaces (between the villages)? Sizyabsk, it's big.
Are there any interspaces (between the villages)?
Interspaces were before, but nowadays, there are no interspaces, nowadays, it seems to be one whole thing, from Gam till Sizyabsk
there are absolutely no interspaces, right? Only houses, everything is lined with houses.
There are a lot of new houses. there are absolutely no interspaces, right? Only houses, everything is lined with houses.
There are a lot of new houses.
Yes.
There are a lot of new houses.
And how many kilometers are now from Gam? There are a lot of new houses.
And how many kilometers are now from Gam?
From Gam to Sizyabsk?
From Gam to Sizyabsk it's deemed to be 10-11, maybe.
11?
Yes, but there are at least 10, for sure.
Aha.
And till the end (of the village), maybe, even more.
Yes, well, usually when they run 10 km cross-country race, ten kilometers.
Aha.
Yes, big.
Big, yes.
Aha.
There is Moshyuga further, we call it Kulim, in 16 kilometers.
Also here, on this bank,
on this bank of the river.
Aha. on this bank of the river.
Aha.
And are here any of this kind of villages, where people lived before, but in 1970s they were closed? Aha.
And are here any of this kind of villages, where people lived before, but in 1970s they were closed?
Here, I remember, there was a forest village in sixty kilometers from here,
it was called Lyok Lesa.
Lyok Lesa?
Lyok Lesa, well, maybe, because forest was not that good, probably, it was called Lyok Lesa.
Where is it? Lyok Lesa, well, maybe, because forest was not that good, probably, it was called Lyok Lesa.
Where is it?
It was further, near Kartayol.
Ah. It was further, near Kartayol.
It, I remember, was closed.
Mm. It, I remember, was closed.
Mm.
And here there was no case of a vilage being closed.
Only accross the Pechora there is Vasiliyevka,
Aha. Only accross the Pechora there is Vasiliyevka,
Aha.
I think, it's Vasiliyevka, maybe, it's called.
And there, there only few people live now.
Mm. And there, there only few people live now.
Mm. Previously, when there were kolkhozes, sovkhozes during the Soviet years, there were (residents), and nowadays, there are less of them.
Generally, all of our villages (...)
they live as they are used to.
Aha. they live as they are used to.
Aha.
Even the forests villages (live) normally.
Yes.
Only not everyone has a job, and it's bad, maybe.
What do people do now in Gam?
Young people, in general, go to Usinsk, they work under a rotation system.
Nowadays, there are a lot of security guards,
oilmen help the workers and so, somebody's a driller's assistant, somebody's a driver.
Here the jobs are only in the state-financed organizations.
Nothing anywhere else.
Mm. Nothing anywhere else.
Mm. Try to work under a rotation system.
Majourity of people, yes? Roman also worked like that.
Aha. Majourity of people, yes? Roman also worked like that.
(...)
Well, somebody, for instance, who doesn't have such education and such.
Somebody gets a degree, tries to stay in a city.
Yes. Somebody gets a degree, tries to stay in a city.
Yes.
Yes, if there is a job in a city,
they work there.
Then you get a degree here, for instance, my daughter,
my middle daughter graduated from the Yaroslavl medical academy, and there was no jobs here,
and so - they, with her husband, had to live in a city, they are living in the city, working.
If there was a job, would they return back? and so - they, with her husband, had to live in a city, they are living in the city, working.
If there was a job, would they return back?
If there was a job, why not, at least for the start, at least for five years.
Aha. If there was a job, why not, at least for the start, at least for five years.
Aha.
"Severnyye" and such.
Yes.
But her husband has a profession
pediatric surgeon, probably, and here they didn't find (a job).
Mm. pediatric surgeon, probably, and here they didn't find (a job).
Mm.
There is no such job in Izhemsky rayon.
Where do young people mostly move to? To Syktyvkar?
Mostly to Syktyvkar, Ukhta, Sosnogorsk, Syktyvkar - yes, generally, there.
Where do young people mostly move to? To Syktyvkar? Mostly (...) Mostly to Syktyvkar, Ukhta, Sosnogorsk, Syktyvkar - yes, generally, there.
Where do young people mostly move to? To Syktyvkar? Mostly to Syktyvkar, Ukhta, Sosnogorsk, Syktyvkar - yes, generally, there.
Ah. Mostly to Syktyvkar, Ukhta, Sosnogorsk, Syktyvkar - yes, generally, there.
Ah.
Mm.
To Piter, Moscow from here?
There are also.
My neugbour, for instance, she graduated from a university in Piter, which university? Named after Herzen, maybe, she graduated from it.
Aha. My neugbour, for instance, she graduated from a university in Piter, which university? Named after Herzen, maybe, she graduated from it.
Aha.
Specialization in the Russian language, maybe, and now she got married,
and she has children already, also lives in Piter.
Ah, yes. and she has children already, also lives in Piter.
Ah, yes. There are such also, not only,
but majourity, honestly, is in the Republic, but there are very few, not many, but they are even in Moscow.
Mm.
There are in Piter, somebody is somewhere in Nizhny Novgorod, I remember.
Lyuda?
Yes, Smetanina Lyuda.
She already works in a school. Yes, Smetanina Lyuda.
She already works in a school.
Mm.
So also, those who have possibility and job, they're welcome.
Aha. So also, those who have possibility and job, they're welcome.
And have people came here sometime? So also, those who have possibility and job, they're welcome.
And have people came here sometime?
Let's say, your wife, she is here,
and from the other regions of the Komi republic, are there any people who are from Kortkerossky rayon or Ust'-Kulomsky rayon?
Ah, yes, for instance, in general, they
are teachers and so one, for instance, previously during the Soviet years it was (like that),
when you graduated from an institution, university, by distribution. They distribute you, for instance, you are originally, let's say, somewhere from
from Pechorsky rayon or so, and you will be sent to Izhma, and you needed to work for three years, I think.
Aha. from Pechorsky rayon or so, and you will be sent to Izhma, and you needed to work for three years, I think.
Then especially girls
marry and stay there, many of them have stayed.
Mm. marry and stay there, many of them have stayed.
Mm.
In our school, for instance, majourity of teachers are outsiders.
Majourity are outsiders.
Though, there are also locals, but
also outsiders.
Everywhere, in each, in each small and big village.
Aha.
And do you watch TV, are there any Komi telecasts? Aha.
And do you watch TV, are there any Komi telecasts?
Telecasts, I, on the second TV, also we watch Yurgan.
Do they speak literary language?
Yes, generally, literary.
And is it possible to understand it?
Well, we understand.
Aha. Well, we understand.
Aha.
Ha,
Well, it's, probably, easier for me because my wife teaches Komi
his wife. Well, it's, probably, easier for me because my wife teaches Komi
His wife? his wife. Well, it's, probably, easier for me because my wife teaches Komi
His wife? Well, it's, probably, easier for me because my wife teaches Komi
Yes, of course, of course. Well, it's, probably, easier for me because my wife teaches Komi
Yes, of course, of course.
But there are such words, single words, let's suppose, when you don't understand, but anyway you get the point.
Aha. But there are such words, single words, let's suppose, when you don't understand, but anyway you get the point.
Aha.
General idea.
General idea they say.
Did you study Komi at school?
Yes, I did, we studied.
How do they teach nowadays? Yes, I did, we studied.
How do they teach nowadays?
Native language.
Aah. Native language.
Aah.
Aha.
I even studied,
in my time it was till first, second, third, forth grade, even until fifth grade
maths and everything, arithmetic - everything was in Komi.
In your time? maths and everything, arithmetic - everything was in Komi.
In your time?
Yes, we also, we witnessed that time.
The books were also in Komi? Yes, we also, we witnessed that time.
The books were also in Komi?
All books (textbooks) were in Komi. Yes.
Yes? All books (textbooks) were in Komi. Yes.
And I remember very well, we started to study in the fifth grade, and everthing there was in Russian, and
we didn't feel too good about it, not interesting.
So.
So that was, yes.
And then
after us, maybe, after two or so years, it changed.
Then everything (all subjects) from the first grade - maths and arithmetic - started to teach in Russian.
How was here? Was Komi always a school subject, was it studied always?
Always, yes, yes, yes.
Yes.
So.
Well, our Izhma is Komi rayon, we even have so many instances from here, for example,
river drivers or other people, for example, come,
especially in such villages as Lasta,
get a job, then marry a local girl,
stay here and speak Komi the same way (as locals).
Aha. stay here and speak Komi the same way (as locals).
Aha.
Mm.
Yes.
So, it is.
So. So, it is.
Because majourity, people speak Komi.
Go to Izhma, and in Izhma, maybe, they speak also Russian, but here.
Mm. Go to Izhma, and in Izhma, maybe, they speak also Russian, but here.
Put themselves above others. Go to Izhma, and in Izhma, maybe, they speak also Russian, but here.
I have, for instance, practice of speaking Russian, it's very (limited),
if I start to speak Russian, for instance, if I go to a city, and it feels immediately that I have an accent.
It's visible because we rarely speak Russian.
Mm. It's visible because we rarely speak Russian.
You don't need to speak Russian here, in which places
(is it necessary to) speak Russian?
In Russian?
well, for instance, if there is a Russian, then you speak Russian with him.
Aha. well, for instance, if there is a Russian, then you speak Russian with him.
Aha.
Who doesn't understand Komi. My son-in-law, for instance,
is half Komi, half Russian (literally, half man), Anton, the one who lives in Syktyvkar.
Father or grandfather was also former Komi, but then
in the city everbody speaks Russian, generally,
he
comes here and tells: "I understand, but don't speak Komi".
And try to speak in Russian with him. Hmm.
Aha. And try to speak in Russian with him. Hmm.
Aha.
With grandchildren (...)?
Grandchildren, grandchildren, they,
when Lyosha comes in summer,
they learn Komi
colloquial, a bit, somehow,
then he goes back home for winter time, forgets again.
Maybe, if you say, he understands? then he goes back home for winter time, forgets again.
Maybe, if you say, he understands? Yes,
Maybe, if you say, he understands?
he understands, yes.
But for I, for instance, know an intstance, my sister, for example, she lives in the neighbouring village, in Moshyuga, in sixteen kilometers from here.
And her husband's two sisters live in Ukhta.
One has a daughter, other - two daughters and a son.
And they whole summer, from kindergarten, for example, till,
they have never gone to the South, constantly come to their grandparents.
And they speak Komi fluently.
Speak very well.
And there is quite a number, there are many of them.
How old were they? And there is quite a number, there are many of them.
How old were they?
Ah?
How old?
Years (old).
How old are they? Years (old).
How old are they?
Ah, nowadays, they're adults, 30-year-old.
Thirty years? Ah, nowadays, they're adults, 30-year-old.
Thirty years? Aha.
Mm. Aha.
Mm.
Aha.
And I remember, when they were children and they always spoke Komi very well.
Fine, you've talken us so much interesting.
I don't know, you ask - I tell, I don't know.
Thank you very much that you've talken.
Thank you too.
Yes. Thank you too.
Yes.
Well, communicate.
Here in Gam
It's fine. Here in Gam
It's fine.
here, well
in winter, everything is so white in winter, only snow,
but when you'll come in summer, for instance, it's completely different story, we have very beautiful places here.
Mm. but when you'll come in summer, for instance, it's completely different story, we have very beautiful places here.
Yes. but when you'll come in summer, for instance, it's completely different story, we have very beautiful places here.
And if you go to a nature trip - wow!
Yes. And if you go to a nature trip - wow!
Indeed, I told. And if you go to a nature trip - wow!
Indeed, I told.
Well, for instance, you go one or one and a half kilometers from Gam, there
you watch from the top of the hill, and as if there's no man visible,
as if on the top of the hill - the Lasta keres hill.
Aha, it's very beautiful there. as if on the top of the hill - the Lasta keres hill.
Aha, it's very beautiful there. Very beautiful, I, no matter how often they come, for instance, I have
so many relatives, who live in the city, for instance, (the relatives) of the son-in-law come, or
the daughters' friends, and
I certainly will take them on a horse, on a horse, not another (mean of transportation), on a horse wagon, sit them in a wagon,
and we go to the nature and so, everything is so beautiful.
Yes, all around, here.
Mm. Yes, all around, here.
Mm.
places all around, where the larix trees grow, Prone Van' also.
There is even a park in Moshyuga, there are more than one hundred of the larix trees, one-hundreed-year-old larix.
Mm. There is even a park in Moshyuga, there are more than one hundred of the larix trees, one-hundreed-year-old larix.
Constantly taking care of them
so that nobody (...),
the soil is so.
We were walking around the village and I showed.
Around Gam, around Gam?
Church, yes, Tandze Marja's house. Around Gam, around Gam?
Church, yes, Tandze Marja's house.
Mm.
Tandze Marja's house is currently a kindergarten, kindergarten, so.
Yes, I saw. Tandze Marja's house is currently a kindergarten, kindergarten, so.
Yes, I saw.
There were such houses. In our rayon there were many of these houses.
And when Naryan-Mar was built, the city, Naryan-Mar, in the very beginning, I don't know, maybe, some, I haven't been there,
it was, it was firstly built from the Izhma two-storied houses.
The houses were dismantled
especially from Izhman and down stream villages
and they were rafted down the Pechora, and the first city was built from the Izhma two-stories wooden houses.
Naryan-Mar?
Naryan-Mar, yes.
Ah, really? Naryan-Mar, yes.
Ah, really?
Yes.
They also wanted to move Tandze Marja's house there. Yes.
They also wanted to move Tandze Marja's house there.
Aha.
And Tandze Marja was still alive, and there was Zhilin, Aha.
And Tandze Marja was still alive, and there was Zhilin,
Aha, aha.
And Tandze Marja was still alive, and there was Zhilin, Yes, yes, yes, he was.
she went to him and said. Yes, yes, yes, he was.
she went to him and said.
He was a director.
she went to him and said.
Don't dismantle the house, it'll serve for many people.
See, they obeyed.
It's still there. See, they obeyed.
It's still there.
There is a kindergarten, kindergarten.
Yes. There is a kindergarten, kindergarten.
Aha. There is a kindergarten, kindergarten.
Aha.
There are houses that more than one hundreed years old.
Why ...? There are houses that more than one hundreed years old.
Why ...?
Hm.
So.
Yes.
Have you always had a cat?
Ah?
Have you always had a cat?
Cat? Car and dog - always.
(...) Cat? Car and dog - always.
(...) (...) keep them at home.
But nowadays there are few two-storied, old houses left.
Some were dismantles, some rottened, others something else.
And I remember, in my childhood there were many of them here.
Aha.
It means people lived not badly!
Yes, of course. It means people lived not badly!
Yes, of course.
Now you try, for instance,
to build a house,
in that time they built two-storied (houses).
Majourity. A lot of two-storied were, even now they are.
Nowadays, maybe, how many Majourity. A lot of two-storied were, even now they are.
Nowadays, maybe, how many
more than ten still?
Well, people lived not badly, lived well.
Hmm.
What ...?
Well, yes,
before there were a lot, a lot.
Yes.
Thank you very much.
Look, can we record it, we are going to work with this material, which we are collecting?
Aha.
Look, can we record it, we are going to work with this material, which we are collecting?
Can we put them to the archive?
To the archive.
You're welcome, why not.
Please write down your address, we can You're welcome, why not.
Please write down your address, we can
Alena, Alena wrote an address.
Alena has.
Send to her, her father, she will hand over herself. Alena has.
Send to her, her father, she will hand over herself.
Yes, yes, yes, she has an e-mail address and everything.
Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes, she has an e-mail address and everything.
Yes, yes, yes. She has everything, yes, yes, yes.
Ah, yes, yes, yes.
Aha.
Ah, yes, yes, yes.
It will be easier.
Easier, yes.
Aha.
Alena was also written down. Aha.
Alena was also written down.
Well, our Alena, for example, with this Bushar and so, with this professor from Canada,
even now, still keep in touch.
They also were on an expedition, folklore, yes, yes. even now, still keep in touch.
They also were on an expedition, folklore, yes, yes.
Expeditions around the rayon,
They also were on an expedition, folklore, yes, yes. they probably came here three times.
I remember two times.
I remember, sometime there were thirty people coming here,
15 Canadian students,
others were locals, from the Syktyvkar State University.
Mm.
And it was, middle of summer, hot, need to feed them, cook, it is warm, hot, you don't know what.
Hm. And it was, middle of summer, hot, need to feed them, cook, it is warm, hot, you don't know what.
Lay around, somebody - on the hay-loft outside, others - on the hay-loft inside.
Hot, and they hid from the Sun.
Look, Vasya, is Alena's husband your brother? Hot, and they hid from the Sun.
Look, Vasya, is Alena's husband your brother?
Yes, yes, yes.
Do they live in Izhma?
They live in Izhma.
Do they also have children? They live in Izhma.
Do they also have children?
How many?
One, one kid, 5-year-old girl.
Five years? One, one kid, 5-year-old girl.
Yes, yes, yes.
Ah, yes.
Yes, yes.
Well, finishing?
Switch off.
Hm.
Well, thank you, thank you very much!
Yes.
Well, thank you, thank you very much!
Thank you too.