Военное дело чукчей (середина XVII—начало XX в.)

Chukchi men had their own symbols of military valour. Men of coastal villages wore a head band embroidered with beads indicated number of killed enemies. At the end of the 18^th century the Coastal Chukchi and Eskimos tattooed on their arms images depicting enemies they killed. Probably this was an attempt to turn a dead enemy's soul into helper or even to join his soul to their own. Chukchi who lived near the Kolyma River after every assassination tattooed dot on the interior of their right wrist towards the elbow, from top to bottom. Face tattoo was typical for the Eskimos as to the Maritime Chukchi, whose tattoos appeared under the influence of the former. Tattoo had a guard function. Perhaps, face painting with the reindeer blood originally had a protective nature.

War transport. Even if Chukchi were using any special sledge it didn't differ from the ordinary ones used in a campaign. Male sledge was intended for one person and had couple of gelding male reindeer in harness. For the foray Chukchi used light racing sledge. For pacing used the snow-shoes and skis, which as well was used to walk but not to slide on the snow surface.

The Coastal Chukchi and Eskimos made raids or travels around sea on leather baydars with crew of eight persons each. It is also known a particular type of a large baydar, with rectangular sail made of rovduga, which could cany up to 20―30 persons and was meant to accomplish distant voyages and campaigns. To travel the rivers, the Reindeer Chukchi together with baydars used single-seated boats made of the whole trunk or rafts made of sledges covered with skin.

Warfare. «Primitive» people had two major stereotypes of warfare: either to fight against well-known neighborhood or against permanent hateful enemies. First above mentioned enenly group deign «civilized way» war: declared war in advance, gave time to prepare the fight, sometimes even released captive men and women. Against second group was waged «all-out warfare»: preferred to attack unexpectedly, killed or sometimes tortured to death captives, took away women and children as slaves. During three quarters of the 18^th centuiy Chukchi waged extirpation war against Russians, Koryaks, and Eskimos who inhabited Bering Strait islands and western coast of Alaska. Even waging these wars Chukchi kept elements of the «civilized way» war: threat-warning that notified enemies about next attack or signing an armistice.

Vengeance — major cause of the war, was unwritten law to Chukchi. In the 18^th century war was motivated by economic reasons and bean counter. Chukchi wage permanent wars against Koryaks over reindeer herds. Russians defended Koryaks, who were under Russian jurisdiction, and carried out several campaigns in order to get submission and impose duty. As Yukaghirs allied Cossacks in the second half of the 17^th—18^th centuries, Chukchi began to attack and annihilate them. The Maritime Chukchi foray Bering Strait Islands and Alaska Eskimos for pillage or because of vengeance evolved from quarrels about hunting grounds.

As long as Chukchi had not specialized fighting squads, they did not wage war continuously; their war was seasonal. Material resource absence as well as food supplies lack hampered the development of large-scale operations. The conflict could be resolved by single combat with fixed rules: one side was assaulting another, which protected itself, then vice versa.

Could be clearly recognized exact seasons for the certain operations. In winter Chukchi foray Koryaks to seize their reindeers. The reason was in use of sledges, harnessed with reindeer, which allowed moving headily and was not effective in summer. During winter the Reindeer Chukchi crossed the ice of the Bering Strait to Alaska. In summer they made overseas raids.

The Reindeer Chukchi usually did not stand guards and never erect any permanent fortifications. They spent the night in pologs (tents) during the campaign. Camp planning was quite simple and, perhaps, orient was the area in marching caravan. Usual way of raid was a slow migrating with all kin group towards enemy territory. In long-distance raids only men could participate. In general, during summer time small foot groups by origin from poor families resorted to tundra in search of plunder. In order to avoid unnecessary losses Chukchi attacked their enemies unexpectedly at daybreak in order not to give enemy to organize defence and simply to slaughter sleepers, to seize loot and leave away at once. They usually encircled enemy jarangand one of the warriors fling lasso over the poles of jarang skeleton and overthrow it, while other warriors were killing the villagers and drive herds out.