Vladimir Sevrinovsky — journalist, photographer, documentary filmmaker
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Морские зверобои Чукотки. Vladimir Sevrinovsky — journalist, photographer, documentary filmmaker
Whale hunters of Chukotka

In Russia, the Chukchi are known as folk characters — the heroes of jokes about naive natives. In reality, this is a nation of brave hunters and reindeer herders, freedom-loving people whom the tsarist forces have unsuccessfully tried to conquer for more than a hundred years.

Where guns were powerless, alcohol and Soviet forced education in orphanages played a fatal role. Now the Chukchi nation is on the verge of extinction. This is not even assimilation, since they do not become Russian. Loss of language and culture leads to alcoholism and untimely death.

This process is slowed down in the communities engaged in traditional activities — such as hunting for sea animals — seals, walruses and whales. To minimize negative impact on the environment, it is regulated by Russian norms and international agreements — for example, residents of 14 Chukchi villages are allowed to catch a total of 140 gray whales per year. Hunters use modern boats, but the principle of the hunt and the construction of the harpoon have remained almost unchanged for more than two thousand years. Sometimes community members fall in icy water and die. But this hunt is the only way to supply fellow villagers with fresh meat.

Gray whale rubs against the stones in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Lawrence
Gray whale rubs against the stones in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Lawrence
Even drunk Chukchi are usually friendly.
Even drunk Chukchi are usually friendly.
A woman in Enurmino village looks at a photograph where she is depicted with her husband – right between the prince and the princess.
A woman in Enurmino village looks at a photograph where she is depicted with her husband – right between the prince and the princess.
Whale hunters prepare a new boat for the first test. A young boy, Rustam, gladly participates.
Whale hunters prepare a new boat for the first test. A young boy, Rustam, gladly participates.
Sometimes ice arrives to the shore of Arctic ocean even in the middle of the summer – closing the way for the small boats.
Sometimes ice arrives to the shore of Arctic ocean even in the middle of the summer – closing the way for the small boats.
Vladimir Eyneucheyvun, the head of local sea animal hunters, uses a paddle to find a seal or a walrus by the sound in the water.
Vladimir Eyneucheyvun, the head of local sea animal hunters, uses a paddle to find a seal or a walrus by the sound in the water.
Anna, the wife of Vladimir, shows Rustam a tiny harpoon model made by her son in childhood.
Anna, the wife of Vladimir, shows Rustam a tiny harpoon model made by her son in childhood.
Nikolay Rovtyn and his distant relative Tatiana Vulkyt, inhabitants of Enurmino village.
Nikolay Rovtyn and his distant relative Tatiana Vulkyt, inhabitants of Enurmino village.
Majority of houses in Arctic villages are very basic. Many parents drink, and the children are left on their own.
Majority of houses in Arctic villages are very basic. Many parents drink, and the children are left on their own.
A resident of Lavrentia settlement feeds his sled dogs with fermented walrus meat.
A resident of Lavrentia settlement feeds his sled dogs with fermented walrus meat.
Inside a house in Enurmino village.
Inside a house in Enurmino village.
Vladimir Eyneucheyvun uses a kayak made of bearded seal skin to cast a fishing net.
Vladimir Eyneucheyvun uses a kayak made of bearded seal skin to cast a fishing net.
Even young Chukchi kids can drive a motorcycle.
Even young Chukchi kids can drive a motorcycle.
Two sled dogs are packed for the sea journey – to prevent them from jumping into the ocean.
Two sled dogs are packed for the sea journey – to prevent them from jumping into the ocean.
Baptism in widespread in the Russian North. Sometimes even Orthodox Christians approve it – sects fight alcohol dependency of locals.
Baptism in widespread in the Russian North. Sometimes even Orthodox Christians approve it – sects fight alcohol dependency of locals.
An old fence in Pinakul village. Inhabitants of small villages were taken by the Soviets into the bigger settlements. Some of them still use abandoned places as a base to search for whales and other sea animals.
An old fence in Pinakul village. Inhabitants of small villages were taken by the Soviets into the bigger settlements. Some of them still use abandoned places as a base to search for whales and other sea animals.
Whale hunters’s lunch consists generally of whale meat and fat.
Whale hunters’s lunch consists generally of whale meat and fat.
Sunset beyond the polar circle is almost endless, it slowly turns into the sunrise. Teenagers play in the ruins.
Sunset beyond the polar circle is almost endless, it slowly turns into the sunrise. Teenagers play in the ruins.
Whale hunters use similar equipment. Even boots.
Whale hunters use similar equipment. Even boots.
Rustam is only 13 years old, but he is already a skilled hunter.
Rustam is only 13 years old, but he is already a skilled hunter.
During the hunt the whale is hit by multiple harpoons with attached plastic balloons. Their turning ends are stuck in the body. When the whale can no longer dive, it is shot from carbines.
During the hunt the whale is hit by multiple harpoons with attached plastic balloons. Their turning ends are stuck in the body. When the whale can no longer dive, it is shot from carbines.
The ceremonial welcoming tea party is an important tradition. The whale is considered as a dear guest to whom grand hospitality has to be shown.
The ceremonial welcoming tea party is an important tradition. The whale is considered as a dear guest to whom grand hospitality has to be shown.
The whale is manually pulled from the water to the seashore.
The whale is manually pulled from the water to the seashore.
Rustam cuts out his harpoon from the whale body - the first harpoon in his life.
Rustam cuts out his harpoon from the whale body - the first harpoon in his life.
Whale skin is full of parasites.
Whale skin is full of parasites.
A crowd of locals quickly gathers with knives and containers. Free meat for everybody!
A crowd of locals quickly gathers with knives and containers. Free meat for everybody!
In a couple of hours, the whale is gone. The remnants are dumped into the sea.
In a couple of hours, the whale is gone. The remnants are dumped into the sea.
Vladimir puts a bloody mark on Rustam’s forehead. Now he is a real whaler.
Vladimir puts a bloody mark on Rustam’s forehead. Now he is a real whaler.