ETHNOGRAPHICAL OPEN-AIR MUSEUM IN ULAN UDE, RUSSIA

This museum has exhibits on the ethnic groups that have lived, or live in the Buryat Region of Siberia. These include the graves of the ancient Stone People, the dwelling places of the Evensk people, Buildings that Shaman of the area used, the yurts of the Buryat people, the main house of a Cossack Chieftan and the Russian Orthodox Old Believers church and houses.

This is a Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church near the entrance of the Ethnographical Museum in Ulan Ude.

Practically nothing is known about the Stone People, except that after they buried their dead they set stones on top of their graves. My guess is the reason for the stones was to prevent wild animals from digging up the dead.

Early Grave of Pre-Historic People living in this area of Russia, called the Stone People

The Evensk camp has wood carvings that have spiritual significance in shamanism.

Our Tour Group Visiting the Evensk area of the Park

More wood carvings dipicting birds. In another part of the park there are carvings of animals and fish.

This is a covered area that holds tools and other things.
Wood Carvings

The two wooden storage cabins below contain hunting and fishing gear, skis, sleds, sacks and traps.
Shed

Place to Keep Supplies

Place to Store Meat where Bears can't get to

Teepee of Evensk People - In the summertime the Evensk people lived in teepees made of birch bark. In the winter they made teepees of fir bark to live in. Shaman also lived in teepees like these.

Teepee of Evensk People made of Bark and Wood

Teepee Made of Bark

Evensk Woman

Log Yurt - These eight sided wooden yurts were used by 19th century Buryats from the Irkutsk region, or western Buryats. The interior has seats for honorable guests, the wife and husband's quarters and a place for household equipment. There is a Russian-style stove is near the yurt. Religious articles are those of the Orthodox Church as most of the Western Buryats were converted to Christianity.

Yurt used by Mongolian People who Live in Russia called Buryat

Example of a Buryat Yurt - Winter house

Decorative Shutters - Main house of a wealthy Cossack chieftan with stables, storehouses etc;

House of Russian Orthodox Old Believers - Old Believers of the Russian Orthodox Church exiled to Sibera after the Church reforms of the 17th century. The houses of the poor, middle class and wealthy families are on exhibit here. Their houses have colorfully decorated shutters and designed with intricate wood carving.

Russian House

Log House with Decorative Window work and Shutters - A house of a poor peasant and a log cabin called an 'exile shelter'. In the18th century Siberia became a place of exile for criminals and political rebels. Along the Trans-Siberian Railway. At that time there were hundreds of shelters like this.

Small Log Cottage -

Log Building with Fense

Small Log Cabin

Log Cabin with Shutters

Log Houses Used by Early Russian Settlers Now and Then

Small Log House Used by Russian Settlers

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