Originally entitled “Efnograficheskiy Obzor Tunguskikh Narodnikh Tantsev” (“An Ethnographic Survey of Tungus Folk Dances”), anthropologist Vitali Vulfevich Dolinin compiled these recordings to preserve the shamanistic dances of numerous tribes in the Siberian wilderness. According to data collected by the reorganized Academy of Sciences, a majority of the native population north of Lake Baikal were rumored to continue animistic worship despite their outward acceptance of Russian Orthodox Christianity. 

Dolinin was a contemporary of noted lepidopterist Godunov-Cherdyntsev, who invited the anthropologist to join one of his last expeditions in the late 1920s. Dolinin spent at least three months on his own, with a film crew of three men. He relied extensively on the translation services of a native guide named Chorozhok; this man does not appear on camera at any time, but is frequently referred to during the narration.

The first reel contains an overview of the expedition and a basic introduction to the Tungus culture and tribes visited (Yukaghir, Chukchi, Dolgan, and Slenga). It also includes a harrowing account of a late winter storm and the journey to Irkutsk. This film is narrated with a voice-over in Russian. The second reel is in Russian (both narration and subtitles) and Evenk, with interviews of Tungus shamans and recordings of several ritual chants.

The official records of the Academy of Sciences notes that a third reel was shot, although it has been expunged from later copies of the films (the records themselves do not say whether this reel still sits collecting dust in some archive). However, at least one copy was smuggled from Moscow into Geneva by a friend of the family of the exile author Sirin. This reel purportedly shows a number of unusual rites thought to be too controversial for posterity, including one in which a sacrificial subject is covered with and apparently devoured by a swarm of an unclassified species of Siberian moth.

Differing stats exist for the several versions of this film. The edited version is by far the most common, but is only valuable as an anthropological curiousity. The third roll by itself does not provide spells, although it can impart Cthulhu Mythos skill.


Study Time: 2d6 days per reel.
SAN Loss: 1d4-2 [edited film], 1d4 [third reel], 1d6 [complete film]
Skills: Anthropology +3 [edited film], Cthulhu Mythos +1 [third reel] – cumulative for complete film.
Spells: Alter Weather, Swarming Servants*, Contact Khuleng** [complete film]


* This spell attracts a horde of moths who feast on a helpless victim; for the next 1d6+1 days the caster can see and speak through any one of the insects that has partaken of the sacrifice.
** Diety of Keeper’s choice.