ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how fish is essential in human–reindeer relations in the Siberian Forest, in conjunction with the leading theories on human–animal familiarity and animal autonomy. The Northern Khanty and Forest Nenets, who live in Western Siberia, engage in fishing, hunting, gathering, and reindeer herding. Based on the author’s fieldwork data, this chapter examines seasonal movement, subsistence territory, and the mutual complementarity of reindeer meat and fish as food. In the region around Lake Num-to, where fishing grounds with abundant fish are prioritized over pasture, herders depend on animal autonomy and familiarity with humans. Herders selectively feed fish to reindeer, which helps to foster close relationships between humans and the leaders of the reindeer herd. This chapter points out that the abundance and attraction of fish serve to limit human residence and migration, while at the same time fish feeding stimulates animal autonomy and strengthens co-existence relationships. These two theories also need to consider human–animal relations, including the environment in which fish live and the adaptive significance of fish.
