Back Nifchers Afrikaans شعب نيفك Arabic شعب نيفك ARZ Nivxlər Azerbaijani نیوخلر AZB Ніўхі Byelorussian Нивхи Bulgarian Nivchové Czech Нивхсем CV Niwchen German
 A group of Nivkh people  Nivkh men, 1902 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 5,800 (est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Russia
| 4,652[1] |
 Ukraine | 584 (2001)[2] |
| Languages | |
| Nivkh, Russian | |
| Religion | |
| Shamanism, Russian Orthodox Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Paleosiberians, Ainu, Okhotsk, Mishihase, Mosan, Kamchadals, and Ulchi | |
The Nivkh, or Gilyak (also Nivkhs or Nivkhi, or Gilyaks; ethnonym: Нивхгу, Nʼivxgu (Amur) or Ниғвңгун, Nʼiɣvŋgun (E. Sakhalin) "the people"),[3] are an Indigenous ethnic group inhabiting the northern half of Sakhalin Island and the lower Amur River and coast on the adjacent Russian mainland. Historically, they may have inhabited parts of Manchuria.
Nivkh were traditionally fishermen, hunters, and dog breeders. They were semi-nomadic, living near the coasts in the summer and wintering inland along streams and rivers to catch salmon. The land the Nivkh inhabit is characterized as taiga forest with cold snow-laden winters and mild summers with sparse tree cover.[4] The Nivkh are believed to be the original inhabitants of the region, and to derive from a proposed Neolithic people that migrated from the Transbaikal region during the Late Pleistocene.[5]
The Nivkh had long maintained trade and cultural relations with neighboring China and Japan. Previously within Qing China's sphere of influence, the Russian Empire annexed the region following two treaties in 1858 and 1860. Subsequently, traditional Nivkh lifestyle was significantly altered by colonization and collectivization.[6][7] Today, the Nivkh live in Russian-style housing and with the overfishing and pollution of the streams and seas, they have adopted many foods from Russian cuisine. The Nivkh practice shamanism, which is important for the winter Bear Festival, though some have converted to Russian Orthodoxy.[8]
The population of Nivkhs has decreased with each of the last two censuses: 3,842 (2021 Census);[9] 4,652 (2010 Russian census);[10] 5,287 (2002 Census);[11] . Most speak Russian today, while less than 5 percent speak their native Nivkh language. Nivkh is considered a language isolate or small family, although it is grouped for convenience with the Paleosiberian languages. Nivkh is divided into four dialects or languages.[12]
- ^ Russian Census 2010: Population by ethnicity Archived 2013-12-04 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
- ^ "Ukrcensus.gov.ua".[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gruzdeva 1998, p.5
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
GallTLwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Fitzhugh, William, and Durbreui pp.39, 40
- ^ Bassett, p.1
- ^ Jesup Exhibition: " Culture: Nivkh (Gilyak)" Archived 2008-02-12 at the Wayback Machine - American Museum of Natural History
- ^ Chaussonnet, pp. 34, 35
- ^ Russian Federal State Statistics Service. Всероссийская перепись населения 2020 года. Том 1 [2020 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1] (XLS) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
- ^ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1 [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
- ^ Federal State Statistics Service (21 May 2004). Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек [Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000] (XLS). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002] (in Russian).
- ^ Mattissen, p.515