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Paper short abstract

By examining the changing narrative representations of meadows in Yakutia, this paper demonstrates how permafrost landscapes are equally exposed to ecological and climatic changes, as well as to an emerging polyphonic ontological context, which has distanced them from the local community.

Paper long abstract

Central Yakutia's permafrost soil supports the formation of meadows with herbaceous vegetation amidst the vast taiga forests. These meadows are vital for the Sakha herders, providing summer pastures for cattle and horses, as well as hayfields and winter fodder during the stabling period. Known as alaas to the Sakha, these meadows hold significant economic, emotional, and spiritual importance for the locals. They are viewed as sentient beings with unique personalities, which means they are considered part of the larger, more-than-human local community. This perspective is mirrored not only in the rich narrative knowledge preserved in historical legends but also in the way daily practices are carried out, such as fishing, mowing, and hunting.

However, this understanding of the meadows began to shift during the Soviet era and subsequent federal periods. With the influence of public education and state media, new viewpoints emerged, portraying meadows, landscapes, and animals as increasingly separate entities from the human world—mere components of nature. In my presentation, I aim to illustrate how contemporary narrative-driven works—such as films, memorats, and literary works—that depict these complex, coexisting, and conflicting ontologies are gaining popularity. I will highlight that the permafrost landscape, exposed to rapid ecological and climatic changes, is now embedded in a narrative context in which the status of these landscapes is debated.