Ohuokhai: Sakhas' Unique Integration of Social Meaning and Movement

This article explores the forms and functions of Sakhas' ohuokhai circle dance. Historically, Sakha are Turkic-speaking agropastoralists inhabiting the subarctic Sakha Republic of Russia. Originating as the opening communal prayer during Sakhas' yhyakh festival, ohuokhai has both maintaine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of American folklore 2006-04, Vol.119 (472), p.161-183
Main Author: Crate, Susan Alexandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Circle dance
Circles
Cognitive problems, arts and sciences, folk traditions, folklore
Culture
Dance
Dance forms
Dance history
Dance, choreography
Deities
Ethnicity
Ethnology
Ethnomusicology
European history
Festivals
Folk dancing
Former Soviet Union
Geographic regions
Healing
Historical analysis
Minority & ethnic groups
Movement
Music
Prayer
Religion, magic, witchcraft
Religions, beliefs, worships
Rites, ceremonies
Rituals
Russian dance
Singers
Social criticism & satire
Social life & customs
Social movements
Song lyrics
Symbols
Transitions
Turkic languages
Verbal aggression
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Summary:This article explores the forms and functions of Sakhas' ohuokhai circle dance. Historically, Sakha are Turkic-speaking agropastoralists inhabiting the subarctic Sakha Republic of Russia. Originating as the opening communal prayer during Sakhas' yhyakh festival, ohuokhai has both maintained an original sacred function and, over time, assumed others. This article defines ohuokhai origins and its evolving functions through the pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet times and reveals that, despite continuing post-Soviet threats, ohuokhai continues because of the commitment and initiative of Viliui Sakha inhabitants.
ISSN:0021-8715
1535-1882
1535-1882
DOI:10.1353/jaf.2006.0019