The elders of the peoples of the North conducted the ritual for attracting fish to rivers of Yamal

The holiday of the first fish took place in Salekhard. Traditionally it was celebrated on the bank of the Ob River. The holiday was opened with the national ritual for attracting of fish. Its idea is to attract fish to rivers of Yamal.

According to the ancient ritual the elders of peoples of the North – Nenets, Khanty, Selkoup, Komi-Zyryan – blandished the Ob River, putting presents on water surface. Then they conducted rituals, which, according to ancient beliefs, should bring good luck to fishermen – worshipping of the water spirit, cleaning with the flame of the bonfire, feeding of the flame, the river and the fishing net. By the words of the organizers of the holiday, during ancient times reindeer herders agreed about a meeting on a definite place before the beginning of fish spawning. When time came, they left their nomadic camps, having left some people to look after reindeer, and went to the river. There they caught fish, laid it in a store for winter. On the riverbank young men competed in running, throwing of a lasso, jumping. Different family groups of Nenets people shared their stories, songs and legends. This time the national folkloristic collectives and soloists entertained guests of the holiday. Also everyone was able to taste a fish soup – ukha.