Chanuka
Hamid Sardar-Afkhami’s passion for capturing unique cultures and ways of life has led him to explore and document the lives of the nomadic tribes of Tibet and the Himalayas. However, he felt compelled to move to outer Mongolia to capture the distinctive life of the Dukha reindeer herders, who live in Northern Mongolia.
Apart from taking awe-inspiring photographs, Sardar also directed and produced a documentary film called The Reindeer People, which chronicles the periodic migrations of a family of Dukha reindeer herders. The film showcases the holy union between humans, ancestor spirits, and reindeer in Northern Mongolia.
The documentary follows the nomadic family of Dukha reindeer herders as they travel across the woodlands in the Hovsgol district of Mongolia with their flock of approximately 100 reindeer. The herders sing with the souls of their ancestors as they trek across the hallowed woodland.
Tsuyan, the oldest Dukha, is a 96-year-old shaman and a godly seer. She serves as a conduit for the soothing songs of the woodland ancestors among her people and reindeer.
Living in one of Mongolia’s harshest areas, the Dukha had to understand nature, animals, and the song lyrics of their deceased loved ones to live in peace with them. This unique way of life has been beautifully captured in Sardar’s stunning photographs and documentary film.
In conclusion, Hamid Sardar-Afkhami’s work showcases the beauty and uniqueness of the Dukha reindeer herders’ way of life in Northern Mongolia. His stunning photographs and documentary film, The Reindeer People, are a testament to the power of visual storytelling in showcasing and preserving cultural heritage.
H/T: lolitopia.com
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