The research is supported by a grant of the Russian Science Foundation, project № 16-18-10083
The article presents description and analysis of the research works by Vera Nilolaevna Kharuzina (1866–1931) – the first female professor of ethnography standing with her brothers at the origins of the Russian Ethnography – shedding light on questions of the history of religion: “Toys at the People of Little Culture”, “On the Participation of Children in Religious and Ceremonial Life”, and a fundamental work “Ethnography”. She made an invaluable contribution to the promotion and institutionalization of this science in Russia in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. V.N. Kharuzina having got only a gymnasia education without an opportunity to study at the university, became the first female professor of ethnography in Russia thanks to inexhaustible interest in science, extensive worldview, and knowledge. The extensive material she collected during the trips, independent and joint ones with the brothers, has been expressed in numerous essays devoted to ethnographic description of life, spiritual and material culture of peoples. Being first of all an ethnographer, V.N. Kharuzina not only generalized and theoretically comprehended data received during the expeditions, but also she was one of the first researchers in national science who addressed general questions of the history of religion considering problems of definition of religion and using narrower terms, such as fetishism, totemism, and animism. Being familiar with the works of eastern researchers such as J. Frazer, F.M. Müller, P.D. Chantepie de la Saussaye, E. Tylor and other scholars who contributed to the establishment of the «Science of Religion», V.N. Kharuzina helped to introduce it to the Russian public during the teaching and scientific activity. The article raises not only the questions of scientific activity of V.N. Kharuzina, but also sheds light on the period of formation of her personality, scientific and research interests.
Key words: V.N. Kharuzina, History of Religion, Religious Studies, intellectual history, science in Russia, Ethnography, animism, shamanism, fetishism
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662.2017.3.164-170
About the author
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Veronika V. Khorina – Master in Religious Studies, Research assistant, St. Petersburg State University; 9/11 Universitetskaya naberezhnaya, St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |