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Reindeer
Reindeer has come to be associated with
Christmas, riding the tradition of the Santa Claus. As Santa is believed
to have come from the far away North, what else than a reindeer drawn sledge
can serve as a better carriage?
It is man's most ancient herd animal, the
first animals being raised around 15,000 years ago. Up until about
12,000 years ago, reindeer grazed over a vast area of Europe. Rock
paintings by primitive peoples featuring them are widespread, as are
discoveries of tools made from reindeer horn. there was even a period of
European prehistory in a part of France called Dordogne that is
sometimes called "the civilization of reindeer." The only
surviving part of such a civilization might be found in Lapland, which
is the northern part of Norway, Sweden and Finland. There are only a few
thousand Lapps, but they own herds of many thousands of reindeer. From
them the Lapps obtain meat, milk, hair for weaving, hides to make tents
and clothing, and horn, from which they make households. They are also
used to pull heavily laden sleds. It is all these multiple uses that
have made reindeer so endearing to people in the North.
Caribou, the name by which the Americans are more familiar with
reindeer, comes from an Indian word.
Reindeer and Caribou look different,
but they probably are the same species. Caribou are large, wild,
elk-like animals which can be found above the tree-line in arctic North
America and Greenland. Because they can live on lichens in the winter
they are very well adapted for the harsh arctic tundra where they
migrate great distances each year. Caribou cows and bulls both grow
distinctive antlers and bull antlers can reach 4 feet in width! A
Caribou calf can run within 90 minutes of its birth. It must do this to
keep up with the migrating herds.
Reindeer are slightly smaller and were
domesticated in northern Eurasia about 2000 years ago. Today, they
are herded by many Arctic peoples in Europe and Asia including the Sami
in Scandinavia and the Nenets, Chukchi and others in Russia. These
peoples depend on the reindeer for almost everything in their economy
including food, clothing and shelter. Some Nenets even keep reindeer for
pets! Reindeer were introduced into Alaska and Canada last
century, but most attempts failed. Native peoples in these
countries still prefer to hunt caribou rather than herd reindeer.
Reindeer and caribou have unique hairs
which trap air providing them with excellent insulation. These hairs
also help keep them buoyant in the water. They are very strong swimmers
and can move across wide rushing rivers and even the frozen ice of the
Arctic Ocean!
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Did you know that Rudolph had a day just to himself - 2nd
Dec - It's Red-Nosed Reindeer Day ! The lovable Reindeer,
Rudolph justly deserves a day to himself after capturing the
hearts of millions around the globe with his shiny nose ! Take
this wonderful opportunity to wish your close ones a festive and
cheerful beginning to the winter season.