The Nenets reindeer herders.0:05
There are a few environments on Earth more challenging than that which is home to the Nenets reindeer herders of the Yamal Peninsula in western Siberia.0:07
These nomads, the last of their kind, move huge herds of reindeer over 1,000 kilometres each year to keep one step ahead of the biting cold.0:17
They cross the world's fifth largest river, the River Ob, just as it is freezing and endure winter temperatures of -50°C .0:28
But to them, this is all just part of a routine that they and their ancestors have been following for many hundreds of years.0:38
The Nenets supplement their way of life with hunting and fishing, but they mostly owe their survival to the reindeer they herd.0:47
Herds range from 50 in small private herds to about 7,000 in the largest state farm.0:55
Apart from providing reindeer meat to sell, the animals are a source of food, shelter, clothing, and transport.1:02
The home of a Nenét family is called a chum.1:10
It's a teepee made of reindeer skins stretched over long wooden poles.1:14
Inside, there is an open fire in the centre for cooking and heating water.1:19
The chum and its site are split into male space and female space, and there are many rules concerning each.1:24
Women, for example, are not allowed to step over any ropes, whereas men should not touch any floorboards or tent poles.1:31
The Nenets have a strong cultural identity and work ethic.1:40
The men mostly look after the reindeer, while the women control domestic issues.1:45
Most speak Russian, as the children are sent to boarding schools, but when speaking amongst themselves, they speak a language related to Estonian and Finnish.1:51
It may sound like an idyllic life in beautiful surroundings, but the Nenets' age-old cycle is increasingly under threat.2:00
Under the Arctic tundra lie huge gas reserves, about a quarter of the reserves in the whole world, which has brought development such as new roads, railways, and pipelines.2:08
As a result, the reindeer pastures are shrinking.2:20
Not only this, but climate change is causing problems too.2:24
As winter arrives later now and leaves earlier, it can be difficult for the Nenets to cross areas of land that are only accessible in winter.2:28
Despite all this, many Nenets choose to stay in the tundra as they can earn a better income than in the villages.2:37
And they enjoy the freedom of the nomadic lifestyle.2:44
As a result, the population of the Nenets and their herds are still growing as they adapt to the new world around them.2:47
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