Ethnographic activity of Yury Shumovskyi
Authors:   The Department of Modern Ethnology, of the Institute of Ethnology, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Yaremcuk Valentyna 
Published: October 2024

The ethnographic activity of Yury Shumovsky (1908—2003) is comprehensively investigated in the monograph, based on the analysis of archival documents, published sources, periodicals, memoirs and scientific literature. The current state of the topic’s scientific development and its source base are highlighted. The formation of the scientist’s worldview is taced, in particular, the reasons why he combined his professional activity as a clergyman with his favorite occupation – archeology – are revealed. The essence of the ethnographic activity of the native of Myrohoshcha first in Volyn, and then, after his emigration abroad – in West Africa, is clarified. The ethnographic works by the researcher are considered and characterized. The following memoirs by Yu. Shumovsky: “The ruined nest or a story of one priest’s family in Volyn” and “Tracing the ancient Africa “are thoroughly analyzed. It was established that Yu. Shumovsky contributed to the development of historical ethnology in Volyn, became the organizer of museology in the Rivne region and entered the world science as the first Ukrainian scientist – a researcher of West Africa who founded the National Museum in Bamako and collected important ethnographic material on the folk culture of African tribes. It was shown that the contribution and significance of Yu. Shumovsky’s ethnographic accomplishments deserve a highly valued place in the history of Ukrainian and world ethnology. The creative heritage of the scientist includes more than 170 works which reflect his philosophical views, namely, religious, moral and ethical. He believed that every nation’s customs and rites shape its way of life and traditions, preserving historical monuments increases the nation’s self-awareness and the knowledge of history helps people form their own statehood. The phenomenon of Yu. Shumovsky is іn combining his priestly activity with scientific research in both archeology and ethnography, which enabled him to develop an original research methodology for treating “eternal themes” through the prism of both Biblical teaching and historical facts. As a scientist, Yu. Shumovsky put forward many hypotheses on sacral themes which he later proved from the theological point of view by considering them in a different plane. At the same time, it can be argued that at the current state of Ukrainian science development, for recognizing the significant achievements of representatives of the Ukrainian emigration abroad, it is necessary to popularize the scientific accomplishments of Yu. Shumovsky gained outside his homeland. Due to his prolific contribution to the development of Ukrainian and world ethnology, the use of an interdisciplinary approach in his scientific works, his role in preserving and popularizing ethnographic materials in the world, clarifying the genesis of one of African tribes, his membership in the National Academy of Sciences, educational activity and scientific contacts with the leading ethnologists, Yu. Shumovsky fully deserves to be recognized not only as a well-known archeologist and theologian, but also as a prominent ethnographer.