Taiga Nomads (3 Parts)

Synopsis

Documentary series about the Evenki (formerly the Tungus), who are scattered all over eastern Siberia. They are a nomadic tribe who move with the household and reindeer throughout the year, never having a permanant home. The films describe the everyday life during last winter of Soviet rule through the members of the Archemku family.
1: Relates the story of Sasha Archemku and his family. He is the leader of Sovchos Brigade No. 6 which actually consists of his closest family members and some temporary helpers. They move thoughout the taiga with their herd of reindeer in the traditional Evenki way. Each year the family sets up home in more than ten different campsites.
2: Focuses on old Nokolaj Pavlovich Archemku, who has experienced the very beginnings of Soviet power, the world wars, the collectivisation of reindeer husbandry as well as the recent economic/political changes in Russia. During the war he lost not only his leg, but also his children. Later on he adopted Vasha, the son of a relative. Nikolaj is teaching Vasha the old ways of living in the taiga, of reindeer husbandry, of everything related to the Evenki’s nomadic way of life.
3: Looks at the children during their time away from home. Beginning from their second year, the reindeer herder children live away from their families from September to May each year. Asks what happens with their cultural identity in the assimilation process as they learn the Russian language and live in Russian villages.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 3 x 50 min.

Year of production

1992

Availability

Hire; 1999 hire: £15.00 (+VAT +p&p) each part

Subjects

Anthropology

Keywords

Evenki; herders; nomadic communities; Russia; Siberia

Credits

Director

Heimo Lappalainen

Sections

Title

Hundreds of homes

Synopsis

1: Relates the story of Sasha Archemku and his family. He is the leader of Sovchos Brigade No. 6 which actually consists of his closest family members and some temporary helpers. They move thoughout the taiga with their herd of reindeer in the traditional

Title

Skills you passed on, The

Synopsis

2: Focuses on old Nokolaj Pavlovich Archemku, who has experienced the very beginnings of Soviet power, the world wars, the collectivisation of reindeer husbandry as well as the recent economic/political changes in Russia. During the war he lost not only h

Title

School and the village, The

Synopsis

3: Looks at the children during their time away from home. Beginning from their second year, the reindeer herder children live away from their families from September to May each year. Asks what happens with their cultural identity in the assimilation pro

Distributor

Name

Royal Anthropological Institute Film & Video Library, c/o Concord Media

Email

sales@concordvideo.co.uk

Web

http://www.concordmedia.org.uk/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01473 726012

Fax

01473 274531

Address

Rosehill Centre
22 Hines Road
Ipswich
IP3 9BG