The Dolgans of Siberia

There are many different indigenous peoples that live in Siberia, but we will focus on just one group: the Dolgans. The word Dolgan (which means 'people living on the middle reaches of the river') is used to describe a group that mostly inhabits an area in the southern part of the Taymry Peninsula in Central Siberia. The Dolgans number approximately 6,900 people, and they speak the Dolgan dialect of the Yakutian language. (Although they speak a Yakhut dialect, the Dolgan have no written language of their own and are taught Russian in school.)

Siberia is a very large area that encompasses 5,207,900 square miles (13,488,500 square km) and comprises 67% of Russia. It is particularly known for its harsh climate, with very long and cold winters. Temperatures have been recorded to -100 degrees F in parts of Siberia.

Siberia itself is very diverse and has four main geographic zones: tundra, swampy forest, tundra and forest steppe. The Dolgans live in a relatively flat area consisting of forest and tundra over miles of flat plains.

The Dolgans traditionally made their living from reindeer breeding, hunting and fishing. Reindeer, the same species as the North American caribou, have been very important to the Dolgan for a number of reasons. Historically, the Dolgan used the reindeer for food, clothing and shelter. Also, the sinew, tendons and bones of the reindeer have been made into useful tools. Reindeer also appear in many religious rituals and ceremonies that the Dolgan practice. Besides reindeer, the Dolgan hunt and trap other animals such as moose, bear, foxes, birds, salmon and sturgeon.

To survive in this harsh environment, besides hunting wild reindeer and rearing domestic reindeer, the Dolgans sold the furs of polar foxes. They transported themselves, their families and their goods across the frozen tundra by using widely constructed skis, dog-sleighs and bark boats, and they rode reindeer. To be able to withstand the extremely cold temperatures, they wore reindeer fur for clothing. They lived in conical tents that were covered with reindeer skins. The tents were easy to take down so they could follow their herd to different pasture lands.

Today, much of their original lifestyle has changed because of the construction of coal and nickel mines at Norilsk. Air pollution from these mines has led to severe health problems for the Dolgans, including mental disabilities in newborn babies and a high infant-mortality rate (deaths among babies). Pollution has also destroyed many traditional reindeer pastures. Despite these changes, the Dolgans continue to prosper as a people proud of their heritage - many Dolgans still practice their traditional lifestyles.

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