Reuniting with their reindeer
Young Ewenki forgo the bright lights of the city for the chimes of bells
By Li Hongyang in Beijing and Yuan Hui in Hohhot |
China Daily |
Updated: 2026-01-19 08:53
Share
Share - WeChat
Raising reindeer remains a grueling physical task. Reindeer are nocturnal, roaming freely at night to feed on lichen, wild mushrooms and matsutake. During the day, they are lured back to camp with salt and soybean cakes — not for hunger, but as a "social" reminder of their bond with humans.
If a deer wanders off, the search is a test of endurance. "If I walk for more than four hours in deep snow, my legs feel like lead," Dekesha said.
In her spare time she teaches younger generations herding skills, traditional Ewenki songs, stories and language. With the help of modern technology, such as smartphones and the internet, she can now teach these online.
