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Siberian Reindeer Herders` Day

Katya (to the left) and her family visit the festival every year. They don`t participate at the race, but take the local children for a ride on the reindeer sledges. Photo: Anja Kristine Salo

SALEKHARD: 60 men and 20 women participated in the annual reindeer herders` race on the river in Salekhard in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

Location

You could see them from early in the morning, reindeer herders from the tundra, on snowmobiles or reindeer sledges heading towards the city to participate at the reindeer herders` race at the riverbank of the Polyabta. 

A sure sign of spring
The celebration is always in the spring when the reindeer herders are preparing for their migration towards the shores of the Arctic Ocean. This is a tradition in many reindeer herders` communities, not only in Russia, but also in Scandinavia.  

22 year old Yashik has come all the way from the other side of the Ural Mountains to participate in the famous March celebration. 

“I am not competing myself this year because it is too far to move my reindeers, but some of my friends are. I hope they will win, because the prizes are really nice,” he says, using his mitten to cover for the bright sun.

Useful prizes
This year the first prize for men is a fancy, new snowmobile. Other prizes are a boat and a generator for electricity. Women can win a sewing machine or dishware.

”It is a pleasure to arrange a huge celebration for the reindeer herders in the okrug”, says Yury Shiyav from the city administration of Salekhard. 

”We want to give them prizes that they need and will use in their daily life”, he continues. 

”The festival grows every year and as you can see not only the indigenous peoples participate, but also the local community.” 

Reindeer rides for everybody
The river is crowded with reindeers, snowmobiles, dogs and people. In the middle of the chaos we find 15 year old Katya from the Yamal-Nenets tundra.  

”I think it’s nice to be here. I bring some of my reindeers with me and take the local kids for a ride. Maybe you would like it too”, she says and smiles.  

Poetry reading in the chum
The indigenous peoples have set up 15 tents, or chums, at the riverbank. In them people can get something to eat and warm to drink. The chums are decorated with rugs on the walls, reindeer skins on the floor and beautiful pillows to feel comfortable. 

”Do you want to try some reindeer meat?” asks the hostess of the chum. She and her family live in another villages not too far away. They come here every year to participate at the Reindeer Herders` Day. 

”We used to be reindeer herders too, but when our children had to go to school we decided to move to the village to be with them all the time. I remember with horror how lonely I felt when I had to go to boarding school, and didn’t want my children to experience the same thing.” she says, putting another log  in the oven. 

Her husband is now working as a fisherman while she writes poetry in the Hanty language. 

”I write poetry about nature, reindeers, the arctic people and the berries in the woods to preserve our native language. I think it is extremely important that we teach our children the language.” she says before she reads out loud one of her favorite poems. 

Colorful crafts market
Outside, people are moving towards the market place. Indigenous peoples from the whole area have come here with their handmade crafts. State farms have brought reindeer meat and sausages, but the longest line is in front of the saleswoman from Uzbekistan. She has beautiful textiles, beads and lace that seem to be enormously popular among the attendees.