Selkup

The Selkup are an indigenous people of northern Siberia in Russia. They have traditionally inhabited the Ob and Taz river basins and surrounding taiga regions, with communities in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Tyumen Oblast, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and Tomsk Oblast. Their subsistence economy historically combined hunting, fishing, and gathering, with some groups practicing semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Social life and ritual practices have long been intertwined with the boreal environment, and shamanistic traditions persist in some communities.

The Selkup language belongs to the Samoyedic branch of the Uralic language family and comprises several dialects, commonly grouped as Northern, Central, and Southern Selkup. As with many indigenous languages, transmission to younger generations is uneven, and Russian influence has grown. The language is considered endangered in many areas, though revitalization efforts include bilingual education and cultural programs.

Selkup identity is recognized by the Russian government as part of the Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federation. Today, many Selkups live in regional towns or rural settlements, maintaining traditional practices while participating in modern economic life. The community continues to work toward cultural preservation and language maintenance amid broader social and economic change.