Tracking the white reindeer | SLICE | Full documentary
SLICE・15 minutes read
The Tsaatan tribe in northern Mongolia, descendants of the Samoyed tribes, still capture wild reindeer to introduce new blood into their herds and replace escaped animals, relying on traditional methods and customs for survival and sustainability. Despite challenges in marriage proposals and rejections, members like Quizilol persevere, using ancestral spirits and traditional skills to track and capture reindeer, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.
Insights
- The Tsaatan tribe, descendants of the Samoyed tribes, have a deep cultural connection to wild reindeer, relying on capturing them to maintain their herds and sustain their way of life, showcasing their exceptional skills in handling these animals.
- The narrative of Quizilol's journey to capture a reindeer bull not only highlights the Tsaatan's reliance on traditional practices like lassoing, but also underscores the importance of ancestral guidance, spiritual beliefs, and perseverance in overcoming challenges, emphasizing the tribe's resilience and determination in adapting to changing circumstances.
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Recent questions
How do the Tsaatan tribes capture wild reindeer?
The Tsaatan tribes capture wild reindeer by using lassos from a young age, showcasing excellent aim to break in young reindeer calves. They rely on this method to introduce new blood into their herds and replace escaped animals, ensuring the sustainability of their reindeer population.
What challenges do Quizilol and Solongo face?
Quizilol and Solongo face challenges in convincing Solongo's father to approve their marriage proposal. Despite their desire to start a family, traditional customs and familial expectations present obstacles that they must navigate to move forward with their plans.
How do the Tsaatan tribes sustain themselves?
The Tsaatan tribes rely on fishing and hunting for sustenance, with Gan Zorig being recognized as the tribe's best fisherman. By utilizing traditional methods and passing on knowledge of medicinal plants and healing practices to younger generations, the Tsaatan maintain their way of life in the harsh environment they inhabit.
What role do ancestral spirits play in Tsaatan rituals?
Ancestral spirits hold significant importance in Tsaatan rituals, guiding tribe members like Quizilol in capturing wild reindeer. Shamans, such as Gan Zorig, enter trances without substances, using juniper to delight spirits and confer magical powers to tools like the lasso. By invoking ancestral spirits for protection and guidance, the Tsaatan navigate the challenges of their environment.
How does Quizilol become a hero in his clan?
Quizilol becomes a hero in his clan by successfully tracking and capturing a bull with two reindeer, showcasing his skills and determination. After an exhausting journey over the mountains, he returns triumphantly, dreaming of building a new herd and potentially winning the heart of Solongo. His achievement solidifies his place in the tribe and sets the stage for future endeavors.
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Summary
00:00
Tsaatan tribe captures wild reindeer for survival.
- The Samoyed tribes domesticated wild reindeer in the cyan mountains of northern Mongolia 3,000 years ago.
- The Tsaatan, descendants of the Samoyed tribes, still capture wild reindeer in the deep snow of the valleys.
- The Tsaatan rely on capturing wild reindeer to introduce new blood into their herds and replace escaped animals.
- The Tsaatan use lassos from a young age and have excellent aim, breaking in young reindeer calves.
- Quizilol and Solongo, Tsaatan adolescents, consider starting a family and face challenges in convincing Solongo's father.
- Gan Zorig, a respected Tsaatan man, plans to give Quizilol a young reindeer bull to start his own stud.
- Dak Tchak, a friend of Gan Zorig, is sent to negotiate Quizilol's marriage proposal to Solongo's father, following Tsaatan customs.
- The Tsaatan rely on fishing and hunting for sustenance, with Gan Zorig being the tribe's best fisherman.
- Quizilol's marriage proposal is rejected, leading to frustration and the tribe's move to new pastures near the Russian border.
- The Tsaatan use traditional healing methods and gather medicinal plants, passing on knowledge to younger generations.
33:35
"Quizilol captures bull with ancestral spirits"
- Quizilol prepares to capture a bull with two reindeer, one for riding and the other to carry gear, using cows about to come into heat to attract the bull, and invoking ancestral spirits for protection in a dangerous region.
- The Tsaatan shamans, like Gan Zorig, enter trances without substances, using juniper to delight spirits, purify humans, and confer magical powers to the lasso, while Quizilol follows ancestral spirits' guidance to find and capture the bull.
- Quizilol, aided by a young girl and her father, successfully tracks and captures the bull after an exhausting journey over the mountains, returning as a hero to his clan, dreaming of building a new herd and potentially winning the heart of Solongo.
