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Spirit, Molngilni
A female spirit doll carved from wood. The spirits of the Khanty brought good luck to hunting and fishing. The spirits were honoured by offering them a sacrificial meal. On an island in Lake Emter, in the Vasyugan river valley, there was a sacred place where the spirit doll Paimi was kept. Paimi was the mistress of the Emter Island and ruled the lake. There were also two other spirits in the same container with Paimi, her servant Molngilni and her midwife. Sacrifices were made for Paimi and her servants in the spring and autumn for fishing luck. The spirit dolls were kept on the island in a shed taken care of by the guardian of the family shed.
SU3904:810
The doll’s forehead and nose are elevated on the carved face. The spirit’s eyes are dark blue glass beads, and the mouth is a small hole. The doll has stump arms. Thin cuts have been made to the front of the body to depict the ribs, breasts, genitals and navel. The doll has reindeer leather boots on its feet and is wrapped in a patterned cotton fabric strip.