Duha Turks

The Dukha people live at the foot of the Sayan Mountains, in northern Mongolia near the Russian border. This region is forested and mountainous, making it extremely cold. The Dukha live in conical tents called “urts” and migrate several times a year. Their migrations are driven by the need to ensure their most valuable companions, the reindeer, can find sufficient food.

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The Dukha live in close harmony with their reindeer. The reindeer serve as their primary means of transportation and provide materials for clothing, tents, and food. They make yogurt from reindeer milk, sew boots and coats from their hides, and craft tools from their antlers. Hunting, fishing, and gathering forest fruits are also part of their subsistence strategies.

The Dukha speak a language very similar to Tuvan Turkic, though it includes some words influenced by Mongolian and Russian. Unfortunately, this language is classified by UNESCO as “endangered,” as younger generations learn Mongolian in school and speak their native language less frequently.

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The Dukha continue to practice Shamanism, one of the oldest Turkic belief systems. Nature is deeply sacred to them. Shamans, known as “kam,” believe they communicate with spirits by playing drums. These rituals are performed to heal illnesses, mark the time of migration, or honor important events.

Because the Dukha population is very small, preserving their culture has become increasingly difficult. Although the Mongolian government encourages them to adopt a more sedentary lifestyle, this conflicts with their traditional nomadic way of life. Nevertheless, some associations, universities, and researchers are working to protect and document their culture.

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