Walking in Korela. Simeon Gavrilov’s travel notes about the Topozero region in 1896

Abstract

The article is devoted to the description of the journey of the Severodvinsk monk Simeon Gavrilov to the north of the White Sea Karelia in 1896, the purpose of which was to study the origin of the Old Believers in the Topozero region. The subject of the analysis is the unpublished manuscript IV of the “Genealogy”, compiled by the traveler using the results of the trip. The chapters of the “Genealogy” under the title “Contrition of the Heart” and “Walking in Korela” are considered, where the author describes in detail his journey from Kem to Kizreka. The traveler’s observations of the way of life of the local population, which are first introduced into scientific circulation, are an important source of information about the way of life of the Kestenga (Topozero) Karelians of the late 19^th century. According to the notes, the Topozero region is a sparsely populated area with a predominantly Karelian population. The Russian language was spoken by men and, with rare exceptions, by women. The main mode of communication between settlements was movement along waterways or along forest/marsh paths with decking. The center of Topozero region was the village of Kestenga, in which there was an official church and a priest, as well as a board with a constable. Men were engaged in peddling in Finland, fishing, making money on timber rafting. The women ran the household. Reindeer breeding was developed in the region. The natural landscape was distinguished by a large amount of stone.