Ethnic groups of Russia: The Nanai

There are just over 11,000 Nanai living in Russia. Members of this Tungus-Manchu ethnic group live primarily in Khabarovsk Krai along the banks of the Amur and Ussuri rivers. ‘Nanai’ translates as ‘man of the earth’.

In ancient times, the Chinese called the Nanai "fish-skinned", because they sewed lightweight, waterproof and durable clothing from fish skin. Fish skin was also used in the construction of houses and boats and, today, it’s used, among other things, to make souvenirs for tourists.

The dog is the most important animal for the Nanai. They can take it along on hunts, harness it to a sled in the winter and even use it to pull boats in the summer. In the ancient beliefs of the Nanai, dogs acted as intermediaries between the human world and supernatural forces.

Fish forms the basis of the Nanai diet. They eat it raw, frozen, dried, boiled, fried and smoked. Carp is especially popular. They also enjoy soups made with fish broth — ‘picte choloni’ with nettles and ‘soakta cholani’ with wild garlic and wormwood.