The Komi people live near the Ural Mountains in the northeastern part of European Russia. According to the official census of 2010, the total number of Komis (the Komi-Zyryans) was 228,000. The total size of the Komi Republic is 416,800 km2. Forests cover three-quarters of the Komi Republic's territory, both swamps and tundra occupy 10% and only 1% is cultivated agricultural land.

Our main fieldwork region has been Kulymdin district on the upper course of Ezhva River in the southeastern part of the Komi Republic. The Komis of Upper Ezhva River (Vylysezhvasayas in Komi) are relatively active in hunting practices.

The Komis are traditionally followers of the Russian Orthodox Church. The hunter's worldview is generally considered as apart from the official Orthodox faith. Even today, certain elements of pre-Christian belief can be detected in the Komi hunters' narratives and practices.

The religious domain enables us to characterize male and female roles in Komi culture. During the Soviet period, old ladies obtained a special role in religious life in the villages. As the priests were absent, old ladies carried out religious ceremonies and were recognized keepers of local religiosity in general (Sharapov 2001; Chuvyurov and Smirnova 2003: 170; Vlasova 2003; Mitrokhin 2006: 45). Today the existence of these ladies with special religious authority gives a distinct aura to their local community. In addition, the faith of the other villagers becomes more ‘real’ because of a feeling of religious continuity (Koosa 2010).