Homeland is a place where your afterbirth is buried. It’s called toonto nyutag in Buryat language.

Buryat people are indigenous people of Siberian Russia with close cultural and historical ties with Mogolians. For Buryats the relationship with the homeland is essential. Most Buryats are raised to think that toonto nyutag is a sacred place, a place of power. It can be your village, village where your parents or grandparents were born. It should be praised and visited regularly. 

In 2016-2023 I photographed my toonto nyutag, a small village close to Mongolian border, as well as other villages in Buryatia. I wanted to document people, things and events that resemble bright pictures from my childhood. I learned about my family and Buryat spiritual culture via photographs.

I can’t visit my place of power anymore due to objective reasons. My longing for this place is so painful that I have decided to deconstruct the phenomena of a homeland. However, how can I let go of my family, my roots, my childhood and the happiest memories that were born there? Should I forever be in pain or can I take my toonto nyutag with me wherever I go?