Khanty-Mansi Region and Yamal Peninsula. Photo album.

N.p., [1936-1937?]. 
Oblong 8vo, [12] leaves (111 photos) + 7 photos. 

In owner hardcover. 
Near good condition, edges bumped, worn to spine, cracks, some of the photos came off. 

Extremely rare photos.

The Ostyak-Vogul National Okrug (renamed Khanty-Mansi National Okrug in 1940) was established in December 1930. The Siberian peoples were deeply dissatisfied with the interventions imposed by the Soviets. These policies, known as 'civilization', involved resettling them into villages, banning ethnic customs, and collectivizing hunting, fishing, and reindeer breeding. Children were forcibly removed from their traditional homes and sent to boarding schools where their native language and cultural beliefs were forbidden. The discontent led to revolts against the Soviet government, such as the Kazym rebellion from 1931 to 1934 and the Mandalada (Yamal rebellion) in 1934 and 1943. The rebellions were violently suppressed by the army, and more remote villages were bombed by the air forces.
This handmade photo album documents the daily life of the Mansi and Khanty people in the Soviet Union, showcasing events like a school festival of Mansi art, a barbershop in a village, a doctor's visit, reindeer sled racing, a baby in a traditional crib, and a young pioneer camp in the village of Kazym. The album also features photos of wall newspapers in the Mansi language (originally written in the Latin alphabet until 1937 when Cyrillic replaced it), traditional cemeteries, and more. Most individuals in the photos are dressed in traditional costumes, and several images depict breastfeeding women. A particularly rare photo captures a scene of saying goodbye to a parent.
Moreover, the album includes a photo from a New Year's Eve celebration held in 1936. Christmas trees were strictly prohibited in the USSR from 1921 until 1935. It wasn't until the first official tree was set up in Kharkiv in 1935 that Stalin allowed the celebration of the holiday.
These photos were likely taken by professional photographers aiming to uphold Stalin's popular slogan: 'Life has become better, Life has become more cheerful!'