Russia 1, Exercise 1, page 26.0:01
The Nenets reindeer herders.0:16
There are few environments on Earth more challenging and the home of the Nenets reindeer herders of the Yamal Peninsula in western Siberia.0:26
These nomads, the last of their kind, move huge herds of reindeer over 1,000 kilometers each year to keep one step ahead of the biting cold.0:37
They cross the world's fifth-largest river, the River Ob, just as it is freezing.0:50
And endure winter temperatures of -50°C.0:56
But to them, this is all just part of a routine that they and their ancestors have been following for many hundreds of years.1:01
The Nenets supplement their diet by hunting and fishing, but mostly they owe their survival to the reindeer they herd.1:11
Herds range in size from 50 in small private herds to about 7,000 in the largest state farm.1:20
Apart from providing reindeer meat to sell, the animals are a source of food, shelter, clothing, and transport.1:28
The home of a Nenets family is called a chum.1:39
It's a teepee made of reindeer skins stretched over long wooden poles.1:43
Inside, there is an open fire in the center for cooking and heating water.1:49
The trum and its site are split into male space and female space, and there are many rules concerning each.1:54
Women, for example, are not allowed to step over any ropes, whereas men should not touch any floorboards or tent poles.2:02
The Nenets have a strong cultural identity and work ethic.2:11
The men mostly look after the reindeer, while the women control domestic issues.2:16
Most speak Russian, as the children are sent to boarding schools, but amongst themselves they speak a language related to Estonian and Finnish.2:22
It may sound like an idyllic life in beautiful surroundings, but the Nenets' age-old way of life is increasingly under threat.2:32
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.2:42
As a result, the reindeer pastures are shrinking.2:54
Not only this, but climate change is causing problems too.2:59
As winter comes later and ends earlier, it can be difficult for the Nenets to cross areas of land that are only accessible in winter.3:04
Despite all this, Many Nenets choose to stay in the tundra, as they can earn a better income than in the villages.3:14
They enjoy the freedom of the nomadic lifestyle.3:22
As a result, the population of the Nenets and their herds are still growing as they adapt to the new world around them.3:25
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