Any time of the year, a belt tied up around the waist over a mAlitsa, a winter coat made of processed reindeer pelts, is the main part of a man’s outfit. The base of a belt is made of raw reindeer skin and decorated with copper or carved bone plates, variously shaped overlays or buttons. There’s nothing redundant on the belt, only the most necessary items are attached to it.

On the right side, a knife with a scabbard is tied up by a chain or a leather strap. It is the key item by any NEnets, boys learn how to handle it at the early age. The knife is needed to cut a reindeer carcass, to make a sledge and surely it is used as a piece of cutlery. It is placed on the right because a man gets on a sledge from the left side. A grindstone in a smart leather case is attached to the left of the belt; amulets like reindeer antlers, animal fangs, paws or claws, bullet casings hang in the middle. A bear’s fang is considered to be the strongest amulet. The Forest NEnets believe it brings luck at hunting and protects its owner from evil spirits.

Setting off for hunting, a man can also tie up to his belt some other tools: an awl, a plane for round details, wood sticks with notches. The latter serve as some kind of a notebook. An awl is used to adjust the harness, it’s impossible to untie the belt knots without it especially when it is rainy or frosty.

There’s a heavy copper or bone buckle with a carved pattern fastening a belt in the front. Men pride themselves upon these buckles and like showing them off. Overlaid belt decorations are placed on the outer side and attached with leather straps.

Gubkinsky Museum of the Development of the North shows a male belt with all decorative elements including the buckle, the scabbard and the handle of the knife made of reindeer antlers. The belt was provided by a craftsman Sergey Ledkov.