The Reindeer PeopleIf you rely on GPRS to guide you, meeting the reindeer people will broaden your horizons... The Reindeer people are an ancient tribe whose lives are guided by shamans and shaped by dreams and tradition. Thousands of years ago, their ancestors left North East China. They crossed deserts and ice; mountains and forests: spreading through Asia, Europe and the Americas. Some ancients believed these people flew. On the Mongolian steppe, you can still find stone circles which carry carvings of "flying reindeer"...
But it's not just the stones you can see. In Northern Mongolia's ancient coniferous forests, a few dozen families still live. Calling themselves the Tsaatan, they trace their ancestry from the first reindeer people. The Tsaatan live as nomads—moving camp several times a year, usually when the seasons change. They do this of necessity. If they stayed in their winter camp during the hot summer, their reindeer would become vulnerable to insects and parasites. For the Tsaatan, reindeers are more than just an animal—they constitute a culture, livelihood and way of life. Their reindeer provide them with milk, cheese, meat, and transportation. They stitch their clothes with reindeer hair. Reindeer dung fuels the stoves. Antlers are used to make tools. Today's reindeer people still live in tepees. On hot summer nights they light fires to create a smoke screen from the flies and mosquitoes. At night, they sleep naked under furs as the smoky remnants of the fire escape through the teepee's peak. Want a sneak peek at their life? Watch this video... The Tsaatan have inherited a deep and refined knowledge of their natural environment. When not involved in hunting, the Tsaatan women take the reindeers into mountain pastures. There they feed on lichen, leaves and mushrooms. At night, the Tsaatan herd the reindeers into fenced areas or tie them to a stake.
But the Tsaatan's way of life is endangered. The forests in which their ancestors lived, died and lie are in danger. The discovery of sought after minerals and the growth of mining companies lobbying for land rights, has led to an avatar-type scenario. Many now see the ancient forests as an untapped resource instead of a conservation priority. Tourism has also damaged the Tsaatan's way of life. Hunting by tourists has deprived predators of their preferred prey. With less to go round, reindeer now appears on the menus of people and wolves alike. Responsibly conducted tourism can help. The visit of small numbers helps raise awareness of the Tsaatan. Tourism also shows the government that preservation of their environment can bring consistent and sustainable revenue. Responsible tourism may even encourage the creation of a long proposed seventy-thousand kilometer, cross-border nature reserve. This would introduce laws, a budget and rangers to help protect the Tsaatan people, reindeer and culture for generations to come. To encourage responsible tourism the Tsaatan have set up a Tsaatan Community and Visitors Center. The center receives and educates those who venture to their land. To get there you will need the help of a tour company known to the Tsaatan community. But seven-star travelers should beware! The Tsaatan represent one of the last truly nomadic cultures. Their nomadic culture and the subzero temperatures of winter mean that plumbing does not exist. Toilets are a bush or a hole in the ground. Neither will you find corner shops. Corners don't exist in the Tsaatan world. But if you can rough it for a while, a brief stay will reveal an extraordinary world. The memories you take with you will warm many a winter night. Other names for the reindeer people: The reindeer people spread around the world. They have many names, including: the Eveny and Dukha. Related PagesRelated Pages
|
