Khanty

Khanty, historically known as Voguls, are an indigenous people of Western Siberia. They are concentrated in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and surrounding areas along the Ob River in Russia. The Khanty are part of the Ob-Ugric sub-branch of the Uralic language family and are closely related to the Mansi people.

Language: The Khanty language comprises several dialects, generally grouped into Northern Khanty and Southern Khanty. It belongs to the Ugric subgroup of Uralic languages. Many Khanty today are bilingual in Russian, and intergenerational transmission of Khanty has declined in some communities; there are ongoing revitalization and education efforts, and the language is written in Cyrillic script with local adaptations.

History and culture: Traditionally, Khanty communities relied on hunting, fishing, trapping, and fur trading in the forested regions along the Ob. They lived in small, mobile or semi-nomadic groups and maintained a rich oral tradition and shamanistic practices. Cultural life has long included crafts, music, and storytelling; the khomus, a type of jaw harp, is associated with Khanty musical heritage.

Today: Most Khanty reside in the oil- and gas-rich Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, where petroleum development has shaped modern livelihoods. The people maintain cultural organizations, museums, and festivals to preserve language and traditions, even as integration with Russian society continues. The Khanty language remains endangered, with efforts to promote transmission to younger generations.