Sky (Num)

The Nenets/Samoyed supreme sky-god; classed 'deity'. Same name (Num/Nom/Nop) recurs among the Selkup (see selkup_nom). Foundational sources: Castrén (mid-19th c.) and Lehtisalo's 1924 Jurak-Samoyed mythology. English 'Sky' leads, native Num in term.

Children

• Death-God (Nga)
• God's Lake (Num-to)

Domains

• sky and creation
• weather and natural order

Powers

• make and govern the world from on high
• give the reindeer as a sacred gift

Epithets

• Num

Relations

• equated with: Sky Father
• equated with: Upper Sky Father
• equated with: Sky (Nom)
• enemy: Death-God (Nga)
• spouse: Mother Earth (Ya-Nebya)

Sources

• Lehtisalo, T. (1924). Entwurf einer Mythologie der Jurak-Samojeden. Helsinki: Société Finno-Ougrienne.
• Castrén, M.A. (1853 ff.). Samoyedic religion and travel notes.
• Hultkrantz, A. / Encyclopedia.com, 'Num'.
• Lehtisalo, T. (1924). Entwurf einer Mythologie der Jurak-Samojeden.
• Encyclopedia.com 'Num'; 'Samoyed Religion'.