Portrait of Tsaatan

Munha & uncle from Tsaatan tribe, Mongoliag

THE UNFRIENDLY border area of Eastern Sayan Mountain between Russia and Mongolia, where the Subarctic begins, is called home by the nomadic tribe Tsaatan. Today there are less than 50 families left.

It took me 4 days to drive on a dirt road with an old Russian SUV and a drunken driver. Then I had to continue for one more day riding a horse till I reached the summer camp of the Tsaatan people. 

On my arrival, I was surprised by how inhospitable Tsataan was. It took me a lot of effort till I convinced them to let me stay for a week.

During the first days, I didn’t even touch my camera. I wanted to get to know Tsaatan better and be one of them. I was cutting lumber, milking reindeer, bringing fresh water from the river, all kind of work that others do. 4 or 5 days later the elders started to joke with me. Not that I understood much of what they were saying but at least, everybody was laughing. Gradually Tsataan started to open themselves in front of me and my camera. 

In the picture, you will see Minha and her uncle short before their departure. they had to find a new location where to move the camp during the winter. 

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