Celebration of the Kilvei Feast in Achaivaiam

Kilvei is the reconciliation feast with nature of the Chavchuven (reindeer herder-Koryaks) and Chukchi, who live in the interior. It is mainly focused on the fertility of reindeer herds, because reindeer are their main source of livelihood. Therefore, the feast shown here in Achaivaiam takes place at the beginning of May at the time of the birth of young reindeer. The focus is on the preparation of special sacrificial dishes with which ritual family objects are "fed" while observing certain rules of conduct. In this way, one seeks to gain the benevolence of the forces of nature. For in the understanding of indigenous peoples, these can at best be influenced by appropriate behavior, but never "defeated" – as it may correspond to Soviet ideology and often to our ideas. Thereby the support of the ancestors is also sought through special sacrificial rituals. The video shown here is a summary preview of the full film with subtitles, which is in preparation.