A process of cultural renewal and linguistic revival is taking place in Kalmykia, Russia, home to the westernmost group of Mongolic peoples. Nyamin Songajieyavich Manjieyev and Nina Kochayevna Manjieyeva speak both Kalmyk and Russian to describe the symbolic importance of sheep bones. Linguist Gregory D.S. Anderson translates, explaining how certain features of the bones symbolize facets of the Kalmyk worldview.

Videography by Sara Legg, Michael Headley and Sam Wharton
Edited by Sara Legg