Dog and deer sleds

One of the main means of transport of the peoples of the North are sleds — long two-wheeled sleds, which are harnessed to deer or dogs. In addition, there are also hand sleds that can be carried by a person, for example, a hunter. Despite the appearance of snowmobiles and other equipment, traditional sleds have been and remain the most important element in the economy of the peoples of the North. On such sleds, products and necessary equipment are transported to the hunting grounds, with their help, prey or catch are taken to the camp.

Sleds are made of various types of wood: usually they are those that bend well, and traditionally ready-made sleds have a narrow "track". Ordinary sleds are made without a single nail, bolt, etc. The design is performed on the so-called "bindings". It is believed that sleds should be moderately mobile, "play" on winter drifts and potholes, and the rigid construction of the sled will only lead to breakage and cracking of the tree.

Sleds are divided into manual, dog and deer sleds, they differ in their size and load capacity. There are also hand sleds, they are usually dragged by the person himself. To do this, a special leather strap is thrown over the shoulder, and sometimes a dog is harnessed to them. Hand sleds help the inhabitants of the North a lot in everyday life and hunting: they carry water, firewood, fish and other provisions. They are slightly more tame, and there should be at least two dogs in the team.

Dogs must wear special riding harnesses, and such sleds with a "growling engine" can carry from 100 to 200 kg. And the biggest ones are reindeer sleds. They can be divided into driving and cargo. Sledges carry people, and trucks — longer sleds — usually carry firewood, hides and long poles for the plague.

The sled

A unique means of movement of the peoples of the North is a reindeer sled. People ride sleds on the wet tundra in winter and summer. There are three types of sleds: cargo sleds, riding sleds and women’s sleds. The woman’s duties include transporting children, cargo, poles and nooks (tires) for the plague.

The sled is assembled without a single nail. It is made with an axe, a knife and a thin spoon-shaped national drill. Some reindeer herders decorate the sled with bone and leather products and even paint it.

Dog sledding

The oldest evidence of the use of sled animals in the Arctic is the remains of dog sleds, the oldest of which are at least eight thousand years old. Before the advent of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, airplanes and helicopters in the 20th century, dog and deer sleds were the only way to cross the snowy expanses of the Arctic. Since ancient times, the peoples of the North have bred sled dog breeds that are used to transport goods and people. Dogs of certain breeds are used for sledding, in which the physical and mental qualities necessary for sled dogs are fixed during breeding.

Currently, few people travel mainly by dog sledding. In regions where passengers and cargo are still transported under cheerful barking, 95% of dog owners have snowmobiles. The majority of sled breeds are bred for entertainment and to preserve traditions: dog sledding has become a popular sport.