YNKYY PT.1

Photographic series. Sakha Republic, March 2022



“YNKYY” is the Sakha word, which means “Dancing”.

Sakha Republic is known for its authentic national culture and identity. Dancing is an important part of the cultural core: it connects with the Sakha people’s faith in the trichotomy concept of the upper, middle, and lower worlds.

YNKYY is dedicated to Osuokhai - the sun-cult Sakha mass dance, reproducing a journey through these three worlds. It starts with the traditional worship, convocation by Olonkhosut (the leading singer) and repeats the three-part composition of the Osuokhai dance - “sahalahyn” (the beginning), “haami unkuu” (step dance) and “kotuu unkuu” (flying dance) - during which dancers reach ecstatic state, unity with the outside world and the Sun.

YNKYY was shot in Sakha Republic and dedicated to Sakha national culture preservation and the interweaving of dance and mythology.