THE NENETS, HERDERS OF THE NORTH

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The Nenets people, also known as Samoyeds, are an ethnic group native to the northern arctic Russia. They are the guardians of a style of reindeer herding that is the last of its kind. Fewer places on earth are home to the Nenets challenging environment, an environment where temperatures plummet to -50C and where crossing the worlds fifth largest river as it deep-freezes is just part of the routine during their yearly migrations. They bred the Samoyed dog to help herd their reindeer and pull their sleds, and European explorers later used these dogs for polar expeditions, because they were well adapted to the arctic conditions. Along with reindeer meat, fish is a major component in the Nenets' diet. Nenets housing is the conical yurt (Chum).