Nomadic Life in the Frozen Wilderness: Cooking Traditional Meals in a Yurt

How Komi Nomads Live in the HARSH Arctic Conditions of Northern Russia

This film was filmed in the endless expanses of the polar tundra, thousands of kilometers away from big cities.

The Komi people live here — one of the distinctive Indigenous peoples of the Russian North. While the total number of Komi is about 200,000, their northernmost group, the Izhemtsi, have preserved a unique subarctic culture. They live by reindeer herding. Thanks to the reindeer, they have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.

During their long migrations, they live in cone-shaped dwellings called chums, built from long poles and covered with reindeer hides (nyuks). Inside the chum, a central stove provides vital warmth and a place to cook — a true lifeline in the harsh northern winters, when temperatures can drop to –40°C or even –50°C.

Far from the noise of the modern world, the Komi have become the guardians of the ancient traditions, unique dialect, and customs of their ancestors.

Their main occupation in the north is reindeer herding, a traditional trade passed down from generation to generation. The Komi-Izhemtsi revolutionized northern herding by introducing advanced methods of herd management, guard dogs, and specific pasturing techniques. Reindeer play an essential role in their life, providing them with meat, hides, and a reliable means of transportation across the trackless, frozen taiga and tundra. The Komi skillfully manage their herds, caring for the animals and ensuring their health and well-being.

Reindeer are the Komi’s main source of survival in this land of icy winds and endless snow. They are invaluable creatures that allow Komi families not only to find food and maintain their way of life, but also to preserve their cultural and spiritual heritage — including deep respect for nature, folklore, and rituals rooted in the ancient harmony between humans, the forest, and the spirits of the North.

About the Channel:

Welcome to our documentary channel. My name is Tatiana Ulengova — I am a documentary filmmaker and traveler.

Through our films, we explore remote places, far from civilization, where people still live by ancient traditions and simple values. We travel to remote villages, high mountains, tundras, deserts, and hidden corners of the world, capturing the lives of people who remain deeply connected to nature, the land, and their families.

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