In China's far north, a once-proud tradition of reindeer herding breathes its last
By Matthew Walsh
In the matchstick-like pine forests of Inner Mongolia, members of the Evenki ethnic group have herded reindeer for around 200 years. But since the 1950s, the Chinese government has resettled herders three times.
Each move has brought the Evenki closer to modern housing, education, and health care. Each move has also taken them farther away from their beloved animals, pastures, and seminomadic lifestyles — traits that define the Evenki experience.
Most Evenki accept their fate. Some do not. During two visits earlier this year, Sixth Tone found a community emerging from the ravages of alcoholism. Split between the forest and their permanent homes, some Evenki happily court the tourist buck, while others cling on to more traditional lives, alone with their animals in the wilderness.
Officials say tourism will revitalize Evenki ethnic culture. For some herders, it’s already in terminal decline.
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