Oh deer, take me away! Indigenous Peoples of the North of Russia celebrate Reindeer Herder's Day

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes that the world's reindeer herders, through their traditional knowledge, experience, and skills, have developed unique food systems to preserve pastures, manage natural resources and monitor climate change.

Approximately 370 million people living in more than 90 countries of the world are bearers of a unique culture and traditions inherited from their ancestors. Indigenous Peoples represent only five per cent of the world's total population, yet they are among the poorest 15 percent of the world's inhabitants. To preserve their identity and protect their rights and interests, the UN celebrates the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

For many years, Indigenous Peoples have been defending the right to preserve their culture, own their ancestral territories, and manage their natural resources. Despite the differences in origin and traditions, Indigenous Peoples around the world face similar challenges. In many countries, they are among the most vulnerable and needy groups.

FAO works closely with the Association of World Reindeer Herders, which is part of the network of pastoral breeders, the FAO Pastoralist Knowledge Hub, and is part of the global network of herders World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples.  

Reindeer husbandry is the main source of income for many Indigenous Peoples of the Far North. To emphasize the importance of this craft for the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Reindeer Herder's Day is celebrated in spring in many regions of Russia. In some regions, this Day is considered an official holiday, which allows for larger and longer events.

The Day is held by presenting the culture and life of the Indigenous Peoples of the North. For several days during the celebration, sports competitions, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, tastings of traditional cuisine, as well as contests among craftswomen and needlewomen are held. More recently, as part of the Reindeer Herder's Day, round tables, and meetings on reindeer husbandry issues with local authorities have been organized.

Reindeer herding communities roam with herds of deer in the tundra and taiga for a whole year, and often even close relatives cannot see them, being hundreds of kilometers from each other. Reindeer Herder's Day gives families the chance to come together, exchange news and have a heart-to-heart talk. 

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. In the photo: A girl in a traditional Even dress

 

This year on the Reindeer Herder's Day, Varvara Parilova, Specialist on Indigenous Peoples at the FAO Moscow Office, interviewed Vasily Solovyov, the head of the mobile tribal community of the Indigenous Peoples of the North (Evens) "Erikit" (translated as "Calling River").

Translated from Sakha/Yakut language into Russian by Varvara Parilova.

– Mr Solovyov, first of all, please accept my congratulations on winning the competition among mobile tribal communities of Indigenous Peoples of the North within the Reindeer Herder's Day 2023 in the village of Sasyr (Yakutia). In this regard, tell us how and when did you become a reindeer herder?

 

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. In the photo: Vasily Solovyov 

 

 

– I grew up in the forest from an early age, roamed with my grandmother and other relatives, and already then, I realized that I could not live without reindeer. I went off to study in the city but ended up going back, and now we have 1 350 deer.

– You have a big herd. Who helps you run it? 

– Look, I have put on my team uniform, and now, during the celebration, everyone in similar clothes helps me in the herd and is part of the family. For example, here is my wife's brother. And so, in the summer everyone helps me with the herd, everyone. Right now, there are five people working in the herd – that is the way it is in the winter. My older brother will be joining us soon. It has been ten years since we became a tribal community, we are all one family.

– The reindeer herder is a singular profession. How do you think the work of a reindeer herder differs from others?

– What can I say... There are different professions. For example, a stoker. But a stoker knows only his boiler room well. An electrician understands electricity, diesel engines. But a reindeer herder should know everything. He is a driver, a buranist, and sometimes even a teacher. He should know everything about deer, people, and everything else. Even when you are a reindeer herder, you are on your own, an independent person. You can say that you have no superiors except your land and nature. 

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. In the photo: the tent of the tribal community "Erikit"  

– And what does Reindeer Herder's Day mean to you?  

– Firstly, on this day we show ourselves and the results of our work. For example, my wife demonstrates her skills and products. Secondly, we share knowledge about how we breed deer, and children learn how to saddle a deer and ride it.

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. 

– Do you use new technologies in your work, including digital ones? 

– Our community was the first among local ones to bring the Internet to the herd. During the lockdown, our children studied remotely directly from the camp, without coming to the village. And talking about digital technology, we use phones. And also, "Buran" snowmobile, which helps a lot, because in the current conditions it is difficult to get everywhere on a deer, especially in winter. I just do not really like quadcopters. A reindeer herder must be able to make his own way, not rely on the ready-made.

– How is your usual working day? 

– It depends on what season. There is always a lot of work – we always work from morning to evening. In winter, for example, we drive sleighs drawn by reindeer from early morning. Then we go to the herd, look for deer and check them. We spend the whole day there. They are about to calve, and we are not even sleeping properly right now. 

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. In the photo: the family of V. Solovyov during the parade of tribal communities

– What would you advise a novice reindeer herder? 

– What can I say... We [reindeer herders] can probably be called fans of our work. In the past years, we worked without money, having invested all our strength. That is why we have been able to preserve deer here in the Ulakhan-Chistay Range [note – village of Sasyr, Yakutia]. We have trained the reindeer ourselves, got sledges, a tent, and even crockery, and now young people help us with all this. When doing this work, it is important that you love your deer, and most importantly, that you love your land.

– What are your plans for the near future? 

– I have a lot of plans. We need to start a second herd to reach 3 000 reindeer. After that, we will be able to set up production, a slaughterhouse. You will see things continue to pick up.

Photo: ©FAO/Varvara Parilova. In the photo: Vladimir Solovyov, the son of Vasily, is waiting for the start of the competition in running on untrodden snow. Vladimir is wearing traditional shoes made of reindeer fur - torbasa \ torbaza, and holding a reindeer breeder's stick, on his shoulder is a lasso of deer skin, on the back a saddle for riding.

 

Resources:

• FAO publication Indigenous Peoples’ food systems. Insights on sustainability and resilience from the front line of climate change
• The Coalition on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems gains momentum at its launch and calls upon more members to join
• Study on the impact of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures on reindeer herding
• INTERVIEW | Indigenous Peoples know how-to live-in harmony with nature (in Russian)
• Reindeer Herder's Day in Yamal

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The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).