For the Nanai, it is important to live in harmony with nature and its creatures, as they believe that their cooperation will benefit them. To this end, they try to communicate with them through spirit beings, which they believe to be located in special objects that they care for with particular attention. Certain spirits will then help hunters and fishermen to have good luck in hunting, while others will protect the family at home in various ways. Shamans use their special helper spirits to investigate the causes of illness and other difficult-to-explain situations in everyday life.

Special spears are used for hunting and fishing. These are mainly used for hunting bears, with several hunters approaching the bear's den equipped in this way. After they have lured the bear out, it is speared with spears. Bear hunting also played an important role in the initiation of young hunters.

The clothing of the Nanai is richly decorated with embroidered ornaments. These depict the animal and plant world with which the Nanai maintain an close relationship with the help of spirits, expressing this connection in this way. The Nanai are particularly known for their practical and artistically designed clothing made from fish skin, onto which delicate ornaments are sewn with fabric threads.

Nanai baby cradles are adorned with special attributes designed to protect the newborn. Special tools were used in the widespread production of fish leather to soften the skins before further processing.