The word "vogul", spelled as /ˈvoʊɡʌl/, is a term used to refer to the Khanty people of Western Siberia. The word derives from the Russian language where it is spelled as "вогул". The spelling represents the pronunciation of the word in Russian, where the letter "в" represents the sound /v/, "о" represents the sound /o/, "г" represents the sound /g/, "у" represents the sound /u/, and "л" represents the sound /l/. In English, the word is often spelled as "Khanty," which represents the pronunciation of the word in the English language.
"Vogul" refers to a term of historical reference and is particularly associated with the indigenous people inhabiting the region of the Ural Mountains, Siberia, and northwestern Russia. The term is primarily used to denote the ethnic group known as the Mansi, who are linguistically related to the Khanty people.
The Mansi, or Voguls, are a Finno-Ugric ethnic community with a rich cultural heritage. They have traditionally inhabited the taiga, or boreal forests, engaging in various activities such as hunting, fishing, reindeer herding, and gathering. Historically, they have lived in autonomous community structures known as clans or tribal groups, exhibiting social cohesion based on communal practices and traditions.
The term "vogul" has been used over time primarily in scholarly and historical contexts, and its usage has declined in recent years due to a greater emphasis on the self-identification of indigenous communities. Instead, the term "Mansi" is now more commonly used to refer to the ethnic group. This shift reflects a broader effort to respect and acknowledge the cultural diversity and self-determination of indigenous peoples. The Mansi people have made significant contributions to the cultural tapestry of the regions they inhabit, including their distinctive folklore, shamanistic practices, music, arts, and crafts.
The word "Vogul" (also spelled "Vogull" or "Vogulian") is an outdated term that was historically used to refer to the Mansi people, an indigenous Finno-Ugric ethnic group living in the Siberian region of Russia. The term "Vogul" used to be the Russian name for the Mansis, but it is no longer in use and is considered to be derogatory.
The etymology of the word "Vogul" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Turkic language. The most accepted theory is that the word comes from the Turkic term "ugur", which means "fortune" or "luck". Over time, this term might have been modified and adopted by the Russians to refer to the Mansi people.