Ewenki tribe depends on tourism to keep traditions alive

World
Europe

Deep inside the Greater Khingan Mountains in China's far northeast, the camps of the Ewenki people can still be found. They are the last group of people in China to still raise reindeers. The Ewenki provide protection and food for the reindeer, while in return, the reindeer help them carry heavy supplies.

However, as hunting is now forbidden across China, the local government has built homes for Ewenki people in towns near the forest. This means the reindeer herds are no longer needed.

But the mutually-dependent relationship continues. While there are now only 1,000 reindeers living in the forests here, they still attract tourists to the Ewenki people's region. In return, the Ewenki protects the reindeer from any harm or hunger.

“We could have four to five hundred tourists during summer. But to protect the reindeer, I only bring the herd here two months out of every year.” Local resident Bu Dongya told CGTN.

Reindeers feed on moss and mushrooms, and are very sensitive to the environment. In order to find better food for the herd, most Ewenki families still move around the forest with the reindeer several times a year. Living conditions can be harsh, and many of the younger generations have given up keeping reindeers.

“It is hard to get used to living here among the woods. But I have to. My grandma spent most of her life in the forest, now she is over 80 years old. What kind of reindeer tribe are we if we don’t have reindeers?” Said Fan Suo, a local Ewenki resident.

Fan wants to persuade her daughter to become a vet, but is also afraid she won’t return once she goes to the big cities. Tourism is so far the best solution. As Fan says, let the reindeers earn for themselves.