Reuniting with their reindeer
Young Ewenki forgo the bright lights of the city for the chimes of bells
"Despite these challenges, many young Ewenki are returning to the mountains to preserve the reindeer culture. This is a positive sign for the Ewenki. It's commendable that young people choose to leave behind modern comforts to embrace mountain life, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment," Xie said.
Youta remains steadfast. She documents her life on the mountain, posting videos whenever she finds a bar of signal. "I don't want a future where Chinese people have to go abroad to see a reindeer," she said. "As long as we stay, the bells will keep ringing. Visitors can walk with us and see the reindeer, unafraid and naturally interacting with them. For us Ewenki, this is the essence of our existence."
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
