Uimon steppe

The translation of the Turkic word "Uimon" or "Oimon" causes discrepancies. According to one version, the word can be translated as “cow neck” or “bovine intestine”. According to O. T. Molchanova’s toponymic dictionary of Gorny Altai, “Oimon” is a fairly accurate descriptive geographic term for a fenced lowland, that is, surrounded by mountains Uimon depression, as geologists call it.

Another version, to which Altai local historians N. Shodoev (p. Mendur-Sokkon) and V. I. Katyn (Kurunda village) are inclined, speaks in favor of the fact that the word originates from the ancient root “Oym” or “Aum” which means "place of hidden wisdom." ^[3]

Old residents of the village of Upper Uimon believe that the name of the steppe comes from the name of the Altai Uymonki, who once lived in these places. ^[four]

The climate in the Uimon valley has a pronounced continental character, which is associated with the dominance of the air masses of the south-western direction. The winds are moderate, during winter there is a fairly long frost-free period, which allows you to grow not only vegetables, but also fruit trees, especially since there are no strong winds in the valley. The duration of sunshine is 225-230 hours per month during the summer period, which exceeds the duration of sunshine in such southern cities as Yalta, Batum or Sochi. ^[five]

At the end of the 19th century, the famous geographer V. V. Sapozhnikov left a description of these places: ^[6]

... Uimon steppe lies at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level and, according to Katun, represents the last and highest inhabited place. Among the surrounding high and part of the snowy mountains it is an oasis with a rather dense population ... In addition to the three main villages of Cox, Upper Uimon and Lower Uimon, the settlements of Bashtala, Gorbunov, Terekta, Kaitanak and many haunts and apiaries are scattered around. The main population is schismatics, but recently Orthodox settlers have been settling here. [7]

E. Shmurlo reports in the “Notes of the West-Siberian Branch of the Russian Geographical Society”, section “Description of the route between the Altai station and Kosh-Agach in the Southern Altai”:

“... This part of the Katun valley is known as the“ steppe ”: to the west (upstream) - Uimon and to the east (downstream) - Katandinskaya. Here there are several large Russian-foreign settlements: Katanda (...) Lower and Upper Uimon, Ust-Koks; the last two villages singled out a number of haunts, which, in turn, turned into villages: Gorbunovo, Terekta, Ognevo, Kastakha, Kaitanak, Bashtala, Chendek, Vlasyivka, etc. Katun. (...) The population of this valley is almost exclusively settled - Kalmyk, still retaining the original way of life, there is very little here - Russian Old Believers, forming Uimon alien administration, peasants from other points of Altai, and displaced Altai aliens (Kalmyks). The population of this area stands out for its prosperity, agility and healthy appearance. " ^[eight]

The nature of the Uimon steppe is admired even by old-timers: the mountains that surround the steppe, depending on what time of year or day is present on it, change it beyond recognition. The beauty of the valley can be completely different depending on how the sun's rays fall on it. Uimon steppe is located at a sufficient distance from large industrial and commercial centers. The nearest railway station in the city of Biysk is 510 km, so road transport runs in the valley. ^[9]

The nature of the Uimon steppe is admired even by old-timers: the mountains that surround the steppe, depending on what time of year, day is present on it, change it beyond recognition. The beauty of the valley can be completely different depending on how the sun's rays fall on it. Uimon steppe is located at a sufficient distance from large industrial and commercial centers. The nearest railway station in the city of Biysk is 510 km away, which is why road transport is widespread in it. ^[ten]

• State Museum Reserve them. N. K. and E. I. Roerich, a branch of the National Museum of the Altai Republic. A.V. Anokhin ^[11]
• Old Believers Museum in the village of Verkh-Uimon . ^[12]
• Old Believer Church of Elijah the Prophet Belokrinitsky hierarchy of the Novosibirsk and All Siberia Diocese

• Abay steppe
• Katandinsky steppe
• Uimon Basin
• Ice

• Uimon Steppe // Uzhi - Fidel. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1956. - P. 59. - ( Great Soviet Encyclopedia : [in 51 t.] / Ed. B.A. Vvedensky ; 1949-1958, t. 44).

• Uimon Valley Photos
• Altai Old Believers of the Uimon Valley