TIFA 2021 People / Culture

Nenets, Reindeer Herders

  • Prize
    Bronze in People/Culture
  • Photographer
    Alessandro Malaguti

One of the most inhospitable places on earth for its extreme weather conditions is Siberia, where temperatures can drop below -40 degrees. Exactly in the Yamal Peninsula, in this frozen wasteland, over a thousand years ago Nenets settled, reindeer herders, leading a nomadic life to the limit of the bearable. Nenets live in the chum, which is the name of their reindeer skin tents, that they disassemble and reassemble during migrations looking for mosses and lichens which reindeer feed on. Although many of them carry on ancient traditions, over the years fewer and fewer decide to stay.

Alessandro Malaguti enters the world of photography and after various approaches he finds his inspiration in travel photography making it a real passion. During his travels around the world, he is interested in discovering different cultures entering into empathy with various ethnic groups, in full respect of people and their customs, he menages to capture emotions, looks and traditions. His purpose, beyond that of transmitting the beauty of cultural diversity, is also the artistic and emotional value of every shot.