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Kisser T. Mothers and Children: Motivational and Activity-Based Scheme of Arctic Nomads

Tatiana Kisser
Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the RAS
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0001-9246-2787
E-mail: tkisser@bk.ru

 

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ABSTRACT. The article is devoted to the study of spatial models of interaction between mothers and children among Chukchi reindeer herders based on the analysis of GPS tracks and ethnographic observations. The daily movements and activities of mothers and children of different ages and genders in the conditions of a camp are examined. A specific model of mother-child relations is revealed, characterized by significant autonomy of children while mother maintains selective control. Significant gender differences were recorded: boys demonstrate a larger radius of independent movement (up to 4.4 km per day) and varied motor activity, girls more often stay close to their mothers and are involved in housework earlier. A feature of the Chukchi model of education is the early formation of spatial orientation skills and physical endurance through free exploration of the territory, imitation games and unobtrusive inclusion in traditional activities. Mothers’ tracks show a cyclical structure of economic activity with periodic control visits to children. This motivational and activity scheme is an effective method of intergenerational knowledge transfer, ensuring adaptation to the extreme conditions of the Arctic and the continuity of the traditional way of life of reindeer herders. Comparison of mobility models of children of different ages and genders allows one to trace the dynamics of the formation of gender identity and the stages of integration into the traditional system of division of labor. The GPS tracking methodology opens up new prospects for a comprehensive research of the spatial organization of the life of Arctic nomads and can be used for comparative studies of various nomadic communities.

 

KEY WORDS: nomads, Chukchi, mothers, children, mobility, space, GPS tracks

  

FOR CITATION: Kisser T. Mothers and Children: Motivational and Activity-Based Scheme of Arctic Nomads. Kunstkamera. 2025. 3 (29): 71–87. (In Russian). DOI: 10.31250/2618-8619-2025-3(29)-71-87

 

DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2025-3(29)-71-87
UDC 397+316.663.5:2-457(=551.1)

 

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