Imbak

Ancient tribal name for today’s Ket, a small group of native Siberians related genetically and linguistically to some native American tribes. Called Ostyaks by the Russians, the Imbak/Ket as well as the Yug/Yugh—to whom they are related—belong to a group known to linguists as Yeniseians, due to their proximity to the Yenisei river. There are no more Yugs in existence, although today’s Eskimos are distant relations. (“Yug” is the Eskimo word for “person” or “human being.”) It is possible that the Ket displaced the Yug from their homelands when they were driven North by a segment of the Forest people called the Kiliki. The Kiliki appear to be identical with the Turkic Kirgiz, who occupied lands around the Torugart during the 14th century, and thus the Tribe of the Forty, who became part of Kayin’s alliance. In the OC, the Masks of God hand over the Stones of Heaven to a group of Imbak/Ket shamans, who are tasked with safekeeping the jades over generations until their intended recipient arrives. That person will be instrumental in transmitting the Stones to the Hiding Land.

Further reading:

Vajda, Edward J. “The Ket and Other Yeniseian Peoples.” In The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the World’s Ancient Languages, edited by Roger D. Woodard. Cambridge University Press, 2004.