chromebook memes 14

 

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Elderly Chukchi woman in Siberia with Siberian Husky in front of a Yaranga

The actual facts about this image, which I first came across several years ago, are much more interesting than the false information in the caption with which it usually appears. The image recently showed up again in my Facebook feed, and continues to be misidentified as “Rare photo from 1880s of Native American with a wolf. This photo is oldest known photo shows a Native American with a wolf.” However, this is in fact an elderly Chukchi woman in Siberia (NOT Native American) with a Siberian Husky (NOT a wolf) in front of a Yaranga (NOT a tepee).

The Chukchi, or Chukchee are an indigenous people inhabiting the Chukchi Peninsula, the shores of the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea region of the Arctic Ocean within the Russian Federation. They are known for the Siberian Husky, which is bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia for sled pulling, and companionship. According to recent genomic research, the Chukchi are the closest Asiatic relatives of the indigenous peoples of the Americas as well as of the Ainu people.

Siberian Huskies are known to have existed for about three thousand years, although they may date back even further. From time immemorial, they lived with the Chukchis, an ancient Siberian tribe that survived by herding reindeer, hunting and fishing, They used their dogs to perform tasks essential to their survival, and that all-important task: pulling sleds on ice and through deep snow. Teams of up to twenty dogs sometimes ran as much as 100 miles a day – and in one of the most inhospitable climates on earth. Winter temperatures can reach a low of minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winds can blow up to 100 mph. Working in this rugged environment, Huskies adapted and evolved into sleek, efficient creatures, both physically and mentally.

Because Huskies lived so intimately with their human families, they developed a kind and gentle nature. And part of that living together in families' Yarangas (traditional tent-like homes made of reindeer skin) involved guarding the Chukchi children and keeping them warm during the long, frigid nights. Based on the outdoor temperature, the Chukchis would determine how many Huskies to assign each child.

The Huskies were so central to the Chukchis lives that a legend developed over the centuries: The gates of Heaven are guarded by two Huskies who refuse admission to anyone who has been cruel to an animal.

note: This is mostly not my original work but is a compilation of extracts from several articles easily found by searching the web.