The nomads of Siberia come from afar. It is believed that they came from the Altai mountains in Central Asia, on the border of the Mongolian steppes and were hunters, always in search of prey. Around three thousand years ago they reached the taiga of the Urals in western Siberia and, later, the Arctic tundra of the Yamal Peninsula.

For some weeks we accompany a family on their long trek south and experience at first-hand how the Nenets, as the reindeer nomads call themselves, lead an extremely tough and demanding way of life. They no longer hunt wild reindeer but accompany semi-domesticated herds on their natural migration and mostly use castrated male animals to pull their sledges.

The soil of the Arctic Tundra cannot absorb rain and meltwater, because the permafrost, which begins in summer at a depth of fifty to seventy centimetres is impermeable to water, so the land becomes a huge bog and travel is only possible by sledge. In order to transport all of their possessions, Nikolai's family requires fourteen sledges and at least sixty draft animals.

The reindeers’ bridle is made of leather, bone and antler horn, but in more recent times, plastic that is found in the deserted camps of Gazprom, is preferred, and is also used for embellishment. The antlers are sold to Russian dealers who resell them to Chinese and Korean pharmacists.

Each year the first antlers are rejected but eventually grow back and are initially covered with a velvety coat which dissolves in summer. During this phase the blood continues to circulate in the antlers and it is at this stage that they are valued as a medicine.

The Nenets’ traditional way of life has altered much over the years as they are a practical people. No doubt they will continue to change according to what is best for them.