Church vs Nomadism

The Evenki are one of the indigenous people groups of Siberia, a minority in their homeland which is now a part of eastern Russia. They have for generations moved when their herds of reindeer required fresh pasture, making good use of land unsustainable for agriculture. They are semi-nomadic in the sense that though some of their people now live in Russian built urban contexts some still live on the land and continue to base their lives around reindeer husbandry. Those who live in towns are pitied and those who live on the land are envied, which is the opposite of Russian attitude. One could say the heart of the Evenki people is still nomadic. On the land traditional leadership qualities and survival skills are given their proper respect. In the villages positions of authority and education are held by Russians and those who have more experience with their ways. There is a constant tug of war in the minds of the people, especially the young, over which path will bring a prosperous future. Some towns have Russian Orthodox churches. In some towns Russian Evangelical pastors also lead local churches. Most of them are welcoming to the attendance of Evenki people but are unaware of the cultural hurdles one would need to cross to do so. And the Russian church, not unlike most Western establishments are ignorant of nomadic ways. The Soviet idealists a generation ago collectivised the reindeer herds and organised the herdsmen into brigades to care for what were no longer their own animals. Children were sent to boarding schools and women given jobs in the the towns. The nomadic way of life that had sustained the Evenki for millennia in one of the least forgiving climates on earth was being usurped by something “more modern”, that promised to bring prosperity equally to all. In the history of the ancient Evenki people the Communist era was significant but short lived. Though damaged and scarred the Evenki have survived and are still herding reindeer and hunting in the taiga. What remains for better or for worse, is their ongoing connection to Russian civilisation. Christian belief, both Orthodox and Evangelical, having also arrived with the Russians, is seen, for the most part, to belong to the Russians. A few years ago, in one town in Evenki territory a Russian pastor had the privilege of bringing an Evenki elder to faith in Jesus Christ. This man was prominent in his community and a successful herdsman and hunter. Hoping that this man would become the first of many Evenki converts the Russian pastor gave him an important role in the church as an elder. This position required him to be at church every Sunday, a requirement that was not compatible with a lifestyle of following the needs of his herds or the movements of wild animals. So, the Evenki man sold his reindeer, gave away his tent, distributed his skis and other equipment, took his dog with him and moved to town. Did this man become the first of a movement of his people to Jesus? No. Not yet anyway. He was seen as a traitor to his people. From the perspective of the Evenki this man had become Russian, not only in his beliefs but also in his lifestyle. And instead of bringing the church into a better light in the minds of Evenki people it made them more wary, more worried, and troubled by its presence. The church was now more than just another Russian institution to be tolerated, it now had the potential to harm their livelihood. This was not the success that the passionate Russian minister had been hoping for. And it starts with a poor understanding of nomadism.

Photo by Joe Green on Unsplash

So, the Evenki man sold his reindeer, gave away his tent, distributed his skis and other equipment, took his dog with him and moved to town.