Egor Efimovich Tartakov is a blacksmith, a recognised master of the traditional arts and crafts of Yakutia, and a Folk Master of the Suntarsky District. He lives and works in the village of Suntar, one of the important centres of traditional musical culture in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). His work brings together blacksmithing, music and education.

One of Tartakov’s mentors was the renowned folk craftsman Roman Ilyich Gotovtsev, who trained many contemporary makers of Yakut knives and khomuses. Egor Tartakov also worked as a technology and music teacher at Suntar Secondary School No. 3. This educational experience later became an important part of his work as a craftsman: besides making instruments, he introduces children to traditional metalworking and the process of creating a khomus.

In addition to Yakut khomuses, Tartakov makes the kyl kyryympa, the traditional bowed instrument of the Sakha people, and plays instruments of his own manufacture. His work has been presented at exhibitions, competitions and events devoted to preserving the musical culture of Yakutia. In 2015, he entered one of his instruments in the “Khomus 2015” Sakha Republic competition as a member of the young makers’ group.

Tartakov’s khomuses vary considerably in their construction and musical character. His work includes massive, traditionally forged instruments with low voices rich in overtones, as well as more experimental designs. One of his unusual creations is a khomus with a frame made from stainless Damascus steel. Tartakov pays close attention to precise reed clearances, playing comfort and an expressive voice, although every handmade instrument retains an individual character of its own.

Egor Tartakov takes an active part in maintaining and developing the khomus tradition of the Suntarsky District. His instruments and special awards have been presented to participants in children’s khomus competitions. In February 2026, during the “Heritage of the Yakut Khomus” educational festival, he demonstrated the complete process of making a khomus and explained the craft to an audience of children. For Tartakov, khomus making is therefore both a profession and a way of passing traditional knowledge on to the next generation.

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