One Day of the Last Nomad Family in the Wilderness −71°C (−95°F) Yakutia

it's the middle of January and the  thermometer often plunges below -70°C Life in the taiga forest is not easy 11-year-old Ersan, the youngest in the family, rises early to gather ice for washing and drinking, the only source of water Viktor, a young reindeer herder, rushes to heat their tent to keep them warm on this ice-cold morning To survive in this severe climate, the family keeps their stove running non-stop They use a lot of firewood, needing to add more every 15 minutes to prevent the temperature from dropping below zero Ekaterina, a wife, grandmother, and the only woman in the house, wakes up early to prepare breakfast for her family ensuring everyone has enough food to stay warm The Dyachkov family lives in a canvas tent with no private rooms, refrigerators, washing machines, or showers none of the signs of modern life They only have a stove, a pile of firewood, a table for eating, and a reindeer fur mattress Showering is a rare luxury With no bathroom, the family wash themselves with ice-cold water and uses the forest as their toilet After their morning wash, the family gathers together for breakfast Breakfast in the Dyachkov home is unlike any other They start their day with reindeer meat, which is richer and more nutritious than beef Ekaterina and Dmitry have four children, who are now grown up and now have families of their own Despite this, their home is often bustling with grandchildren and others eager to learn the skills and traditions of reindeer herding. After breakfast, the boys get ready to go outside and start their day But first - they need to get ready for the cold by wearing multiple layers of warm clothes All their clothes are made from reindeer hide by Ekaterina herself one of the warmest materials that can withstand -70 degrees The trousers and jackets are essential to protect against the icy winds The hats cover their ears and heads completely, ensuring that no part of their body is exposed to the biting cold Now, Aysen and Viktor are ready for their morning duty of bringing the reindeer back and protecting from wolves 12-year-old Aysen dreams of becoming a reindeer herder when he grows up He has been learning to herd reindeer since he was young spending his holidays with the Dyachkov family to master the basics of reindeer herding Every morning, Aysen and Viktor venture into the endless forest to gather reindeer While anyone else would be lost in the taiga forest, the boys have learnt to easily navigate using the hills and bushes better than any Satellite Navigation Reindeer herders must constantly check and protect the herd from wolves which can kill and chase the herds This is why Aysen and Viktor watch over their reindeer daily, ready to protect and lead them away from danger Bears also pose a threat, especially in the spring, who may attack both the reindeer and people The Dyachkov family have about 1,000 reindeer These animals feed on their own, mainly eating moss and herbs, which they dig out from a thick layer of snow However, the reindeer quickly consume the food and trample the ground making it essential to move to fresh grazing grounds every few days Reindeer herders must always be ready to move often roaming not only in the taiga but also moving south during the cold season The Dyachkov family has no desire to live in the city The confinement and restrictions of city life would stifle their spirit and traditions The vast, open landscapes of the taiga forest are where they thrive moving freely with their herds and appreciating the beauty of the nature that surrounds them Finally, Aysen and Viktor brought back the herd The reindeer are excited to have some salt, which is their little treat and it fulfills their need for sodium an essential nutrient that helps digest food in their stomachs. Reindeer herding is one of the oldest professions that continues to exist, practiced for thousands of years by indigenous people in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, such as the Evenk and Even people The Dyachkov family are among the 20,000 indigenous Even people The Even people have a rich cultural heritage deeply connected to nature.

They value their natural surroundings and freedom, seeing them as essential to their way of life The role of women in a reindeer herding family is crucial, creating a special warm atmosphere in these tough living conditions Ekaterina was born in a noble reindeer herding family with 12 siblings, has been living and working closely with the family of her husband, Dmitry, since childhood Living in a reindeer herding family means being prepared for anything, including staying alone in a tent Ekaterina must be ready for any situation Preparing firewood and gathering ice in winter are daily tasks Okay, here I'm cooking reindeer offals It's a delicacy And here I'm cooking reindeer tongue Reindeer tongue is also a delicacy for us So, this is a wing This one I'm using it as a broom Ekaterina handles the washing, cooking, and looking after the children and all the other tasks around the house. A typical day for a woman in a reindeer herding family starts earlier and ends later than everyone else's My little cooking secret is to cook with all your heart and love That way, everything turns out delicious Without the contributions of women, the life of reindeer herders would be unbearable Being a woman in a reindeer herding family is demanding and officially recognized work. Women receive a salary for their efforts, about $200 a month from the government emphasizing the importance of their role in this traditional way of life Reindeer are integral to their culture, providing not only a source of food but also materials for clothing, tools, and transportation The herders can profit from reindeers in many ways from the meat, skins and the antlers from which medicine and cosmetic products are made 1kg of antlers can sell for around $10, and a single reindeer could be worth up to $1,500.

As part of their tradition, the reindeer herders also drink fresh reindeer blood, which is considered highly nutritious and a vital source of warmth and energy, especially during the cold winter months These practices have been developed over centuries, and respecting the cultural traditions of indigenous people is an essential part of our humanity As the family gathers for lunch, the tent fills with the comforting aroma of traditional foods Ekaterina has prepared a feast hearty reindeer stew, fresh warm bread, caught boiled fish, and a traditional dish of reindeer stomach and a reindeer tongue. It's ready now! The children eagerly reach for their favorite dishes while the adults savor the rich flavors Every dish tastes like heaven, especially after working hard outside and being in the fresh, freezing air During the school year, children often travel long distances to attend boarding schools.

They ride snowmobiles or use sleds pulled by reindeer to reach the nearest town a journey that can take up to 18 hours Once at boarding school, children stay for the entire school year, returning home only during holidays Do you know that we're being filmed for some YouTube thing? I want lots of sweets for being filmed Some chocolates would be nice Lots of sweets He ate all my Christmas sweets You weren't here for Christmas! I was here I thought you weren't coming After a big lunch, the boys head outside to play games in the snow.

Ekaterina stays inside the tent, washing the dishes and tidying up, her mind already on the tasks for the evening Kolya, did you finish eating? Need to prepare some woods! From a young age, children are taught essential herding skills They learn how to handle the reindeer, learn practical survival skills in the wilderness such as building shelters, starting fires, and finding food.

After playing outside, the boys help gather more firewood, a crucial task for the family's survival in the cold climate Firewood is essential for cooking, warmth, and even heating ice for showering The boys work together, using their small axes to chop wood Our parents and all our ancestors were reindeer herders All the reindeer were inherited from our parents I see, but how did your mother give birth to you? My brother was born in a tent in the forest Another brother was born while my parents were roaming They quickly put up a tent, and my mother gave birth there Reindeer herders usually live with two or more families together There is always one elderly, experienced woman who delivers the child But my husband's father delivered the children himself I was born a hospital I think I was born. .

. Were you born in a tent or in the hospital? I'm not sure But what if you have an emergency and need to go to the hospital?

How do you handle that? You mean us? Yes Well, the hospitals are too far away for us to reach But we are fine We make natural medicine from Siberian pine Thanks to our Mother Nature We haven't had any major issues, knock wood!

As evening approaches, the family checks the generator to ensure they have electricity to light the tent. It often freezes in the harsh cold, so they use thick blankets to cover and insulate it. Meanwhile, Aysen has a task: to gather snow for washing and cleaning.

He ventures deep into the forest to find the cleanest snow, filling a large bowl to bring back to the tent Look, how pristine this snow is! Back at the tent, the family begins preparing the evening meal using ingredients they preserved earlier. Today’s menu includes traditional delicacies: raw frozen fish, liver, and fatty carp.

As night approaches, the boys are busily stocking firewood for the night You opened my cookies without me! who? look!

oh! This kid just won't quit talking about his sweets Finally, it’s time to sit down and relax. The boys gather together and listen to the many interesting stories that 12-year-old Aysen eagerly shares from his life in the wilderness.

One day, a bear was chasing me! Really? Yes, I saw a bear And what happened?

The bear spotted me and started walking toward me And then I bolted like lightning! I even lost my slippers I didn't even feel the pain in my feet when I stepped on a stone Luckily, nothing happened, I just ran away And then, the bear disappeared Does that mean you ran faster than the bear? I don't know The bear just started walking towards me, then i ran away so fast that I didn't even look behind me Around the world, people live in many different ways, yet certain values remain universal The Dyachkov family, despite their remote and rugged lifestyle, embody these values Far removed from modern conveniences, they find profound happiness in their daily lives Their joy stems from the love and warmth they share, their deep connection to nature and the simple pleasures like a shared meal or a song around the fire As the Dyachkov family shows us "Happiness is not about having everything, but it is a spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude”.