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Rosneft Supports Reindeer Herders’ Day in Yamal
17 March 2026
Reindeer Herder’s Day, the main national holiday of the indigenous peoples of the North, took place in Yamal with the support of Kharampurneftegaz and RN-Purneftegaz, Rosneft’s subsidiaries.
The ethnic village of Kharampur has become a centre of attraction for reindeer herders and fishermen from settlements across the Purovsky District, as well as for residents of nearby towns. The customs and secrets of the art practised by the indigenous peoples of the North, who use reindeer sledges to travel across the winter tundra, are carefully passed down to young reindeer herders from generation to generation. The competitors showcased their proficiency in reindeer sleigh handling on the designated track. The contest for the top position emerged as the most notable event of the festival.
The national charm and beauty of northern traditions came to life through performances of Nenets songs and authentic dances by folk ensembles. Craftswomen dressed in colourful traditional winter attire – yagushkas – participated in a national costume competition. The jury evaluated both the practicality and the fine craftsmanship of the beaded embroidery on traditional handmade winter coats and belts. Inside the warm chums, guests were treated to the bounty of Yamal’s natural resources, including reindeer meat, fish, taiga tea and berries.
The festive programme also included a quiz on the history and culture of the indigenous region. Participants of all ages provided answers to questions regarding folk traditions and daily life, nomadic routes, the symbols and meanings of ornamentation, and the folklore and legends of the Nenets people.
Rosneft is committed to creating the conditions for sustainable socio-economic development in the northern territories. Social projects cover a wide range of areas, from the promotion of reindeer herding operations to the support of educational, cultural and sporting events. The Company’s enterprises actively support initiatives designed to preserve the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples and strengthen inter-ethnic dialogue.
For reference:
Rosneft’s enterprises have implemented numerous social and charitable projects in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, with a view to promoting the development of indigenous communities and associations. These include the revival of the ethnic village of Kharampur. With the help of Rosneft, Kharampur has become the center of the forest Nenets culture. The oil workers built a clubhouse, a library and 20 hard-wall cottages in the village, stylised as a traditional tent dwelling. A boarding school was also constructed in the village, where the children of reindeer herders and fishermen learn their native language and traditional crafts. Supported by RN-Purneftegaz, researchers at the National Research University Higher School of Economics have developed a range of educational materials for teaching the Forest Nenets language in primary schools.
Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft
March 17, 2026