Alla Kechgichaivina describes various types of boots

"This is how they sewed them. Because their snow is dry. But the Chavchuven from here, we from Voiampolka and those from Palana, we cut the furs like this because we have very wet snow. There, the snow is dry, not like here. We have more rain or wet snow. That is not the case there. They sew the sole directly onto the reindeer fur. That way everything is covered. The soles are often made from bearded seal fur. We have soles made from the skin of a male bear, like this one here. This one is made from the skin of a male bear, a loner. When spring comes, a large male bear is hunted and the skin is taken off. Well, they make the soles like that. Or from the paws of a bear. And also for hunting snow sheep, soles are made from bear paws. All that I am showing you here is from the ‘lower’ (southern) women. ‘Lower’ (southern) women sew like this. And the boots you came with are from the ‘upper’ [northern] villages."

[I traveled with boots to Alla Kechgichaivina, which had been sewn by Marija Adukanova from the north (Chailino), note by E.K.]

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Shanuch, 2003.