Mansi - Sociopolitical Organization



Social Organization. There is much disagreement among scholars about pre-Russian and even pre-Soviet forms of social organization among the Mansi. At minimum, they seem to have been organized into kinship-based groups located in certain regions along the Ob, Sosva, Liapin, and Konda rivers. The displacement of early social forms—such as the chiefdom (Russian: kniazhestvo ) by elements of clan-tribal organization—is thought to have been largely completed by the seventeenth century. Later, with the breakup of populous villages, a type of community known as the paul formed. This was a network of neighboring kin groups and large families inhabiting a given territory.

Political Organization. Clan leaders were traditionally selected from among the men and rule was heritable. The internal organization of Mansi chiefdoms was used by the Russians for administrative purposes. A significant reflection of the Mansi experience of the political system occurs in mythological beliefs; according to some tales, the gods have details about individuals' destinies recorded on pieces of paper. In the Soviet period, government was organized in village, settlement, and regional soviets. In 1930 the Ostyak-Vogul National District (okrug) was created in the territory of Tiumen Province. In 1938 it was renamed the Khanty-Mansiisk National District and in 1977 the Khanty-Mansiisk Autonomous District. The presence of representatives of the native population among the Soviet deputies was obligatory.

Social Control. Social control was carried out with the aid of traditional institutions, habits, customs, rules, etiquette, and morals.

Conflict. In very early times feuds between kin groups were perpetuated along both patrilineal and matrilineal lines. Disputes with other peoples occurred over the seizing of territory. Conflicts with Russians included a revolt mounted in 1592 by the Mansi leader Ablegirim. Such episodes were prevalent in the beginning of the seventeenth century.


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