Daily Task and Techniques of Even's Reindeer Herding in Sakha Republic, Russia

Abstract

Even's reindeer herding methods and techniques are investigated in Tompo region in Sakha Republic, Russia. Daily herding is conducted as follows: in the morning reindeer are collected together at camp-site by a herdsperson. In the day time the reindeer are kept at the camp-site and in the surrounding area. Whenever they are going to leave the area, a herdsperson will put them back. In the night reindeer are tolerated to roam freely. While this form of herding seems to be simple and easy, they have some characteristic techniques to manipulate reindeer smoothly. Near the camp-site salt is put on a kind of stand, so that reindeer can always ingest it. And at times people give reindeer salt directly by hand. The salt lures reindeer and help to keep them near the camp-site. This kind of technique seems to modify behavioral patterns of reindeer. There are different kinds of technique which seem to make herding effectively. Use of bells is one of them. About 5-10% of individuals of the herd are worn collars with bell. People at the camp pay always attention to tinkle of the bells, and by the sound they can track location and movement of the herd. Use of herding dogs seems to be another technique. Sometimes a dog is used to drive and collect reindeer, and it seems to help herdsperson's work to some extent. By this study I have indicated some techniques of the Even to herd reindeer. However the observed herd in this study is small and has unusual composition. In the future I would like to study these and other herding techniques in detail, and intend to understand Even's reindeer herding methods more systematically.