Following the Reindeer

photographs and text by
Evgenia Arbugaeva

This project is about nomadic tribes of reindeer herders in my homeland, the Republic of Yakutia, which is located in eastern Siberia.

There are five nationalities of reindeer herders that live on the territory of the Republic: Even, Evenk, Yukagir, Chukchi and Dolgan. All of them are smaller populations, for instance the total number of Yukagir in the world at this moment is only 1509 people. 

During the period of one year I traveled with reindeer herders in different parts of Yakutia. I witnessed a unique culture that almost has not changed for centuries.

In the age of urbanization and technological progress these people have maintained an ability to live in complete harmony with nature and each other.

— Evgenia Arbugaeva


Evgenia Arbugaeva was one of the photographers who participated in Lens Culture FotoFest Paris 2010. The expert reviewers awarded her the 400 euro prize to design and print her own photobook at Blurb.com.