The reindeer herders of Oymyakon
Here is Russia’s far North East through the eyes of its nomadic reindeer herder population, the Eveny. Photographed by Yakutia's most vocal ambassador, journalist and travel guide, Bolot Bochkarev. I've long been fascinated with this region. As the draw of city life and big industry threatens the Eveny way of life it takes ever more effort to survive.
“Young people go off to university and are tempted by the big city. They don’t want to return to a nomadic way of life. So we must try our best to keep children inspired and teach them how to both love this environment and live in it” —reindeer herder Alexander Zamyatin, in a video article on Russia Today
I wonder if sustainable tourism might actually offer an interesting avenue for preservation and income generation. Bolot's images were taken on a small tour he led which employed an Eveny family and 25 reindeer over the course of seven days.
One day, I tell myself...
More info on the Eveny herders here.
And I’m reminded of this beautiful study in reindeer movement and sound from Lapland, by artist Eva Weber.