The remote location of the areas where the ancient Yakut people lived accounts for the fact that they produced household items using their own resources. The form of wooden and birch bark products was primarily functional and practical. The craftsmen of that time knew and took into account the natural properties of the material, its strength and durability. The items created by Sakha craftsmen were easy to use and durable, and many of them have survived to this day.
The shapes of Yakut wooden tableware have not changed since ancient times. Kitchen utensils were made using chiseling and carving techniques, similar to those which can be found in the cattle-breeding cultures of the Altai and South Siberian peoples.
The collection of the Churapchinsky museum includes the following utensils for koumiss: “choroon” vessels, konkoloy funnels, “khamnatar” whorls, “kerien ymyja” cups, “yhaaiakh” ladles, and “siri ihit” leather containers. Items of everyday use are represented by large and small “kytakh” and “kytiya” cups, “et khotoror uhum” meat platters, wooden calendars, snuff boxes, “mallaakh tuchut” boxes for sewing accessories, as well as furniture.
The symbolic meaning of koumiss utensils is closely connected with the cult of the horse and the culture of the summer festival “ysyakh”.
The Sakha people prepared for this celebration in advance: craftsmen made koumiss ware sets, silver jewelry, saddles, and forged bridles. Craftswomen wove birch bark utensils, embroidered caparisons and kychyms, and created smart costumes. Women churned koumiss, while young people prepared for competitions.
Everyone was expecting the arrival of summer, and the choron with koumiss was the most important item at this national holiday.
A choron is a ritual goblet with rich decoration, which is intended for drinking koumiss.
