Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

The Everyday Life Of Reindeer People Living In Mongolia
The Everyday Life Of Reindeer People Living In Mongolia
User submission
71K

The Everyday Life Of Reindeer People Living In Mongolia

230

ADVERTISEMENT

Through his photos of the nomadic Dukha people in northern Mongolia, photographer and scholar Hamid Sardar-Afkhami gives us an unprecedented look into the everyday lives of a people that rely on herds of migrating reindeer for their day-to-day existence.

The Dukha people domesticate reindeer, riding them, breeding them and using them for milk, cheese and fur. Unfortunately, their way of life is dying out as both their populations and the sizes of the reindeer herds diminish. Estimates of the Dukha population range between 200 and 400 individuals. Today, their primary source of income is the tourists that come to buy their crafts and ride their reindeer.

With a Ph. D. in Sanskrit and Tibetan Studies from Harvard, Sardar-Afkhami was the perfect person to document the Dukha way of life before it disappears. In addition to these photos, he also created a documentary film about the Dukha called The Reindeer People.

More info: hamidsardarphoto.com (h/t: mymodernmet)

RELATED:
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    232Kviews

    Share on Facebook
    Dovas

    Dovas

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

    Read less »
    Dovas

    Dovas

    Author, Community member

    There is a beast with heart of cold stone that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. // Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees. My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. // I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw

    What do you think ?
    ArjandeRuijter
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow how beautiful!? Would love to travel to Mongolia on one of my adventures. - My adventures so far: http://www.arjanderuijter.com

    Load More Replies...
    AndreaSmith
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing! I would love to spend sometime with them learning their ways!

    bubamara
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Almost surreal, so much beauty and diversity....

    mcurse
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonderful pictures I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing Dovas :)

    Pamela
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We must respect wonderful peoples like the Mongolians and not try to change their lifestyle but appreciate their differences! :)

    LindaAbbott
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So lucky in so many ways to live so close to nature. It's a rugged life, and a difficult one, but beautiful.

    SaundraKelley
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such beautiful people! So people really do live with and ride reindeer - thank you for catching their lives on film and sharing it with us.

    RemMalapit
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    amazing! i wanna go there someday and experience their ways of life.

    HipChick
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always loved learning about Mongolians but would love to learn more from them. Wonderful pictures.

    Islandgirl
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went to Mongolia last year but was in the wrong area to see the reindeers! I was horse-trekking for 2 weeks and it is an incredible place!

    zuzuG
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love my country! Miss you so much.,

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i fwill like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to dispcuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like hto discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sGreetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to kdiscuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss w,ith you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    STOhistorii
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful! We've been only in central Mongolia, but northern part, people and animals living there also look amazing!

    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesnt make you a photographer. These could have been great.

    AngelaSaporito
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What beautiful people and animals! These photos are breathtaking!

    JoAnneKlein
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spectacular photos!. So perfect they look like paintings. Beautiful people, gorgeous scenery, enchanting animals!

    RitaChilders
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    these are the people who will survive...

    JeanineSolomon
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating and utterly beautiful!

    ConniePaoletti
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible - beautiful people and animals...

    rameshvyas
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really nice to the other part of the world

    JasonHeather
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing!!! So sad that these ways of life are diminishing

    CatheleenMay
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is really amazing! I love this. They are showing the relationship between man and animal.

    JoeRoy
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful .....always enjoy seeing how others live....

    DonnaMason
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It may be a hard life, but it is beautiful and seemingly one with nature., unlike many modern civilizations.

    JoannaMarkiewicz
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where can i download/ buy this pics in full size? For private use only

    NikēLaos
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    god damn mongorian keep breaking my s****y wall

    MarianWalls
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such a simple and beautiful way to live with nature. Love this. <3

    JohanneLepage
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Une vie de rêve, pas trop loin du paradis originel.

    gmcallis
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful - and so in tune with nature and each other

    LeventParlak
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This people is the oldiest middle asian Turks. Their language is near current Turkish.

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people yea man. I watched them speaking Turkish in the documentery. They are lovely anyway but not Mongol

    Load More Replies...
    OxanaSmirnova
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    неужели где то такое ещё бывает)

    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesn`t make you a photographer. These COULD have been realy great.

    Stanley Keach
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rebecca Schneider -- you may be a wonderful photographer, whose work should be more widely known; however, to many people -- including some with strong backgrounds in the arts -- these photographs of the Dukha people are highly effective and moving. Why denigrate them?

    Load More Replies...
    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesn`t make you a photographer. These COULD have been realy great.

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people next time please make some searches firs dear admin. they are lovely anyway but not mongolian

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people They are not Mongolic They are Turkic Imm Turkish aswell and I wathed them speak Turkish in docume

    HarmlessHamster
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, living in the wilderness without indoor toilets, showers or even heaters is not the way to live. The noble savage is a lie.

    ErhanAkkaya
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    hi there! i am here to state a fact. they are not fully aware of the beauty they are living in and they are not as intelligence as you.

    ArjandeRuijter
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow how beautiful!? Would love to travel to Mongolia on one of my adventures. - My adventures so far: http://www.arjanderuijter.com

    Load More Replies...
    AndreaSmith
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing! I would love to spend sometime with them learning their ways!

    bubamara
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Almost surreal, so much beauty and diversity....

    mcurse
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonderful pictures I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing Dovas :)

    Pamela
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We must respect wonderful peoples like the Mongolians and not try to change their lifestyle but appreciate their differences! :)

    LindaAbbott
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So lucky in so many ways to live so close to nature. It's a rugged life, and a difficult one, but beautiful.

    SaundraKelley
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such beautiful people! So people really do live with and ride reindeer - thank you for catching their lives on film and sharing it with us.

    RemMalapit
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    amazing! i wanna go there someday and experience their ways of life.

    HipChick
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always loved learning about Mongolians but would love to learn more from them. Wonderful pictures.

    Islandgirl
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went to Mongolia last year but was in the wrong area to see the reindeers! I was horse-trekking for 2 weeks and it is an incredible place!

    zuzuG
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love my country! Miss you so much.,

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i fwill like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to dispcuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like hto discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sGreetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to kdiscuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss w,ith you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    Jonathan Demme
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greetings My name is Jonathan Demme presently living in France i make a proposal i wish to share with you i will brief you more once i hear from you as soon as possible i will like to discuss with you, but not here in email me to (jonathandemmie@gmail.com) With Regards Jonathan Demme

    STOhistorii
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful! We've been only in central Mongolia, but northern part, people and animals living there also look amazing!

    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesnt make you a photographer. These could have been great.

    AngelaSaporito
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What beautiful people and animals! These photos are breathtaking!

    JoAnneKlein
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spectacular photos!. So perfect they look like paintings. Beautiful people, gorgeous scenery, enchanting animals!

    RitaChilders
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    these are the people who will survive...

    JeanineSolomon
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating and utterly beautiful!

    ConniePaoletti
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible - beautiful people and animals...

    rameshvyas
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really nice to the other part of the world

    JasonHeather
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing!!! So sad that these ways of life are diminishing

    CatheleenMay
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is really amazing! I love this. They are showing the relationship between man and animal.

    JoeRoy
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful .....always enjoy seeing how others live....

    DonnaMason
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It may be a hard life, but it is beautiful and seemingly one with nature., unlike many modern civilizations.

    JoannaMarkiewicz
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where can i download/ buy this pics in full size? For private use only

    NikēLaos
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    god damn mongorian keep breaking my s****y wall

    MarianWalls
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such a simple and beautiful way to live with nature. Love this. <3

    JohanneLepage
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Une vie de rêve, pas trop loin du paradis originel.

    gmcallis
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful - and so in tune with nature and each other

    LeventParlak
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This people is the oldiest middle asian Turks. Their language is near current Turkish.

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people yea man. I watched them speaking Turkish in the documentery. They are lovely anyway but not Mongol

    Load More Replies...
    OxanaSmirnova
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    неужели где то такое ещё бывает)

    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesn`t make you a photographer. These COULD have been realy great.

    Stanley Keach
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rebecca Schneider -- you may be a wonderful photographer, whose work should be more widely known; however, to many people -- including some with strong backgrounds in the arts -- these photographs of the Dukha people are highly effective and moving. Why denigrate them?

    Load More Replies...
    reb.schneider
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful scenery, beautiful people. Unfortunately, owning a camera, doesn`t make you a photographer. These COULD have been realy great.

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people next time please make some searches firs dear admin. they are lovely anyway but not mongolian

    MuhammedŞakirAbanuzoğlu
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukha_people They are not Mongolic They are Turkic Imm Turkish aswell and I wathed them speak Turkish in docume

    HarmlessHamster
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, living in the wilderness without indoor toilets, showers or even heaters is not the way to live. The noble savage is a lie.

    ErhanAkkaya
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    hi there! i am here to state a fact. they are not fully aware of the beauty they are living in and they are not as intelligence as you.

    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT