The word "Selkup" refers to an ethnic group inhabiting the northern regions of Russia. Its spelling is based on the Selkup language's phonological system of consonant and vowel sounds pronounced in a particular way. According to the International Phonetics Alphabet (IPA), the word "Selkup" is pronounced as /ˈsel.kup/. The first syllable "sel" has a stressed "e" sound, followed by a soft "l" and an unstressed "u" sound in the second syllable. The spelling of the word "Selkup" accurately represents its pronunciation in the Selkup language.
Selkup refers to both a linguistic and ethnic group located in parts of Western Siberia, primarily in the Tyumen Oblast and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug regions of Russia. The Selkup people are generally recognized as an indigenous population in this region. Linguistically, Selkup is a member of the Uralic language family, specifically belonging to the Southern Samoyedic branch.
The Selkup language is primarily spoken by the Selkup people, with estimates suggesting that around 1,500 to 2,000 individuals are fluent speakers. Selkup is considered an endangered language, as it faces the risk of being replaced by Russian, the dominant language in the region.
The Selkup population historically relied on hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding for subsistence. They have a rich traditional culture, including distinctive music, handicrafts, and folklore. However, due to various social and economic factors, such as the influence of the dominant Russian culture and Soviet policies, many Selkup people have gradually shifted to a more sedentary lifestyle and adopted elements of mainstream Russian society.
In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize Selkup language and culture. These initiatives aim to preserve the Selkup identity and increase awareness of the unique heritage and contributions of the Selkup people. Various educational programs, documentation projects, and cultural events have been initiated to support the revival and preservation of Selkup language and traditional practices.
The etymology of the word "Selkup" is not precisely known. However, it is believed to come from the term "selko o'p", which means "folk of the forest" or "forest people" in the language of the Selkup people themselves. The Selkup people are an indigenous group residing in the region of Siberia, primarily in the Tomsk and Yamalo-Nenets regions of Russia. The word "Selkup" was also adopted by the Russian language to refer to this particular ethnic group.