Vera Yaganova discusses the Ololo figures

18:19 - 20:22

“When we begin to celebrate, we make animal figures out of twigs – different kinds of figures. If someone has killed one bearded seal, they make two seal figures. But if they’ve killed two, then they make four. These crafted figures are placed into a bowl, which must always contain either ice or snow. If there is no snow yet, then water is poured into the bowl. There should always be ice or water in it. The bowl is then placed near the stove. When the figures are close to the warmth of the stove, our seals and bearded seals say, ‘It’s good here.’ And then, early in the morning, when the sun rises, they anoint the figures generously with tolkusa – the ritual mash – to send them off properly.” (Subtitles ☸︎ + cc)

Recorded by Erich Kasten. Lesnaya, 2002.