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NOMADS OF THE NORTH: REINDEER HERDERS IN YAKUTIA

L. Vinokurova, V. Filippova, A. Suleymanov, S. Grigorev, Y. Sannikova

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of scientific survey on unique social phenomenon – the nomadic way of life of reindeer herders in Yakutia. Main trends of nomadic way of life’ changes in Yakutia were outlined on base of collected archival and published sources, statistical data and field materials. Firstly, the situation with conceptual approaches on nomadic way of life was analyzed. Authors recognize that from the very beginning of the Russian Arctic exploration the lifestyle of nomads was in the spotlight of all scientists. The uniqueness of the socio-cultural and economic practices of nomadic indigenous peoples had emphasized by them and this position was dominant for a long time. It is necessary to note, that before the Revolution 1917 the Russian authorities hadn't hardly intervened in the way of life of the nomads. The situation was drastically changed by new Soviet regime: the policy of collectivization had a powerful impact on the nomadic reindeer breeders’ way of life. Nomad reindeer herding was not considered and is still not considered as a form of economy and a valuable way of life in the relations between the government and corporations which carry out exploration and mining activities in the northern regions of Yakutia. But despite the long-term social experiment on eliminating their lifestyle, the nomads managed to preserve it in Yakutia until the present moment, in the 21st century.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2017/22/S08.039

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