The "Success Story" of Private Reindeer Husbandry in Iamal? A Look at Herders' Budgets 30 Years After

Abstract:In this paper, I discuss current practices of managing family budgets among nomadic reindeer herders of three raiony [municipalities] of the Iamal-Nenets Autonomous Region, Russian Federation. I also give examples of how informal practices of trade and exchange influence the development of reindeer herding in the region as well as the herders' ability to adapt to the market economy. On this basis, I explain why reindeer herders are driven to accumulate large private herds of reindeer despite growing overgrazing problems.