REINDEER HERDERS (TSAATAN TRIBE)

REINDEER HERDERS (TSAATAN TRIBE)

The Tsaatan people, also known as the Dukha, are one of Mongolia’s smallest ethnic groups, living in the northern taiga (boreal forest) region of Khuvsgul Province.

• About Reindeer

Reindeer are adapted to cold, high-altitude environments and do not tolerate warm climates well. They thrive in harsh conditions and can graze in strong winds and extreme cold, withstanding temperatures of –30°C to –50°C. In Mongolia, there are approximately 2,000 reindeer, and they are listed as critically endangered in the Mongolian Red Book. Hunting reindeer has been legally prohibited since 1953. Historically, reindeer are believed to be among the earliest domesticated animals in northern Asia. A reindeer can typically carry 50–70 kilograms and travel up to 60 kilometers per day. Their antlers shed and regrow each year naturally.

• Life of the Tsaatan Tribe

Because reindeer mainly feed on lichen, which does not grow in the flat steppe, the Tsaatan follow a nomadic lifestyle, moving seasonally in search of suitable grazing areas. Their native language is Tuvan, a Turkic language.

Traditionally, they live in urts, cone-shaped dwellings similar to teepees, built from wooden poles. In the past, these were covered with animal hides, but today cloth, leather, or canvas is commonly used. Reindeer are part of everyday life for the Tsaatan and are used for riding and carrying loads, while their milk is used to make tea, dried curds, yogurt, and other dairy foods. The Tsaatan traditionally practice shamanism and maintain deep respect for nature, the earth, and the environment.

Today, there are around 40 Tsaatan families living in Mongolia, divided between the Eastern and Western Taiga.