Ewenki

This is one home of the "Reindeer People" (Ewenki) near GenHe. There are only about a few dozen of them. They live deep in the forest and raise reindeer. They live a life much like the American Indians in tepees, make their own bread, and eat venison, The older Ewenki people lament that the animals are hard to find, but the younger ones say there are many wild animals in the forest. The Ewenki people in the forest raising reindeer will be gone in 3 to 5 years. Even now European countries like Finland are donating money to keep the reindeer people. The Chinese government has built free new houses for them, but they prefer the forest. They are very, very poor people. Modern life is swirling around them. They are one of a handful of true ethnic people that live a life unchanged for centuries. Unfortunately, they will be gone soon. To be sure tourist versions will survive, but not the true forest people. Updated 6/26/2008