Moscow State University, Historical Faculty, Lomonosovsky Av., 27, building 4, Moscow, 119192, Russia [tutorski@mail.ru]

Abstract. The paper describes the practice of equal sharing among Northern Russian villagers, providing a rare example of equality of outcomes. After fishing expeditions to remote lakes and rivers the members of the fishing team receive equal parts of the catch. In this form the equal sharing appeared in the XX century, but numerous omens and prohibitions show that this kind of sharing has deep pre-Christian roots. In my case, the equal sharing was not about the creation of a society of equals but an instrument that can mask a gift, help or even bribe. Equal sharing does not mean creation of equity.

Keywords: fishing, sharing, equality of outcomes, Russian peasantry, Russian North.

Received 01.03.2020, accepted 31.03.2020.

DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2020-1-92-101

For citation: Tutorskiy A. V. “The knife or the haft”: realizing equality of outcomes in hunting practices (preliminary field report). Prehistoric Archaeology. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 2020 (1), 92-101 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2020-1-92-101

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