Udihe

The Udihe, also known as Udege, are an indigenous people of the Russian Far East. They traditionally inhabit areas along the Amur River and the coastal region of Primorsky Krai and Khabarovsk Krai, with communities in other parts of the Russian Far East. The name Udege is used by speakers of the Udihe language and by outsiders alike. They are part of the Tungusic language family, related to other Tungusic-speaking peoples in the region.

The Udihe language, or Udege, is a Tungusic language and is generally classified within the broader Northern Tungusic group. Today most Udihe people are bilingual in Russian, and the Udihe language is considered endangered. There are ongoing efforts to document and revitalize the language, including linguistic work, education programs, and cultural initiatives led by community organizations.

Traditionally, Udihe subsisted on fishing, hunting, and gathering, with seasonal camps along rivers and coastal areas. They made use of dugout canoes for travel and fishing and produced material culture from wood and bone. Shamanic and animist beliefs were historically important, with ceremonies and drums playing central roles; many communities later incorporated Orthodox Christianity through contact with Russians, while preserving some traditional practices in other contexts.

Today the Udihe are officially recognized as one of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of Russia. They remain a small cultural and linguistic group facing challenges from language endangerment and modernization, but they maintain cultural institutions and pursue revitalization efforts to preserve their heritage.