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  Dr. Belorussova Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Laboratory of Museum Technologies, Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences

Modern culture and crafts, folklore groups, professional art

The Oroch have different types of folklore: fairy tales and myths (nimapu); heroic fairy tales (sokhori) borrowed from Manchurians and the Chinese; legends, edifying stories, tales of the past (telungu); jokes, funny stories (khoimbua), songs (dyari); and riddles (gangayuku). They also have interesting musical folklore such as instrumental music and songs. Daily life songs, work songs, lyrical songs, ceremonial songs, shaman’s songs, and melodies that accompanied legends, fairy tales, dances, and games enjoyed the greatest popularity. Oroch songs are heavily based on improvisation, while their melodies are simple and monotonous.

Folk culture revival marked the cultural space of indigenous peoples of the Khabarovsk Territory in the 21st century. Ethnic festivals, competitions, and ethnic applied arts exhibitions are held with support from the government of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Ministry of Culture. The “Oroch” ethnic community, was founded in 1995 In 2003, the village of Datta in the Vanino District hosted the Drum of Friendship Fest, an ethnic festival dedicated to Oroch culture; it also featured an Oroch folklore holiday “Down the Ancestors’ Path” intended to “form an environment for creative communication and to advance the Oroch’s ethnic self-awareness.”

The Kia Khala Oroch Ethnic Culture Center opened its doors on October 1, 2006 In 2008, Kia Khala built an ethnographic site at the Boshnyak District Local Museum to hold large- scale ethnic events. The Anyakha Khadzhi (Gems of the Harbor) ethnic dance and costume ensemble was formed in 2013 The ensemble has won multiple awards at various competitions and festivals. Additionally, the School Museum in the village of Uska-Orochskaya features exhibitions dedicated to the Oroch. The Kia Khala Oroch Ethnic Culture Center holds various events promoting Oroch cultural legacy: they organize festivals, museum exhibitions, and school events. For instance, during the pandemic, Kia Khala had a fish-cleaning competition.