Liliia Zdor and her team* talk about summer boots

"The picture shows fur boots that are worn during the summer, from spring to autumn. They are sewn from seal skin. These fur boots appear to be unworn. You can tell by the laces, as they are not deformed. The light-colored leather strips placed between the toes, shaft, and sole show no signs of wear or dirt. The soles of the boots are also clean and show no signs of contact with the ground.

Each fur boot consists of three main parts – the shaft, the foot part, and the sole. Light-colored fur strips are sewn between these parts. On both sides of the sole, straps made from seal skin are sewn. Loops are attached at the heel part of each fur boot, through which cords are threaded to fasten the boots around the ankle. The upper part of the shaft is decorated with reindeer hair embroidery. The style of the ornaments is characteristic of coastal dwellers. A hem is sewn onto the shaft, through which laces are also threaded. The dried skin of a seal is placed on a special board, with the hair side up. Charcoal or coal ash is rubbed into the fur, and later the flesh side is scraped clean with the enanvenanom tool. The prepared skin for cutting has a dark outer surface and a light inner side.

Sole templates are cut from the skin of a bearded seal. Generally, the template is 10–15 cm longer than the foot. The piece is placed into a container of water and pressed down. Once the pieces become flexible, they are shaped with the teeth. One starts at the heel and moves to the toes. The sole is thus shaped like a boat with high edges by pressing it with the teeth. The front and rear parts of the sole are rounded. The height of the sole is measured with the index finger placed against the inside of the sole. After drying, the sole is sewn to the finished upper using sinew thread. Bearded seal skin is used for the sole. The shaft and foot covers are cut from de-haired seal skin, and the cords are made from hairless leather. For laces at the shin area, sinew threads are used.

Coastal dwellers and reindeer herders wore such high boots in autumn, spring, and summer. They could be used to cross rivers. Boots with high leather shafts and large thick soles are moisture-resistant and suitable for rainy weather. But due to the complex processing and production of the soles, rubber boots have increasingly replaced the imyuchit."(Video in progress)

* Liliia Zdor, Galina Etul', Irina Gyrgol'naut, Irina Nutetgivev and Mark Zdor.

Recorded 2024.