How Two Families in Krasny Yar Keep Udege Traditions Alive for Future Generations

In the remote village of Krasny Yar, two families are keeping Udege traditions alive through music, craftsmanship, and daily life. The Kabanov and Kyalunziga households blend old customs with modern living, from handmade hunting skis to a children’s dance ensemble now in its tenth year. Their stories reflect a community determined to pass down its heritage.

Olga Kyalunziga returned to Krasny Yar after studying in Vladivostok. She now leads Kessikhi, an ethnic dance group whose name means 'happy' in Udege. The ensemble has two age groups—7 to 10 and 11 to 15—and celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The young dancers wear costumes embroidered by local artisans, using natural materials and traditional patterns.

Kyalunziga learned Udege dances from village elders Galina Alexandrovna and Zina Alexandrovna. She hopes her own children will one day return to Krasny Yar to carry on the traditions. Her husband, a hunter and fisherman, teaches their middle son the skills needed to survive in the taiga. Nearby, the Kabanov family has deep roots in the area. Valentina and Yevgeny have been together for fifteen years and are raising three children. Their family coat of arms features a wild boar, dried fish, and a child on a snowmobile—symbols of their connection to the land. A prized heirloom is a pair of hunting skis bound with *kamus*, the hide from a red deer’s leg. Not far away, Antonina and Andrey have spent twenty years together, raising their son Arseny and daughter Ksenia. Like their neighbours, they blend daily life with traditions that stretch back generations.

The families of Krasny Yar preserve their culture through dance, craft, and storytelling. The Kessikhi ensemble continues to grow, while heirlooms like hunting skis and embroidered costumes keep old skills alive. For these households, tradition is not just history—it’s a living part of their future.