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I Travelled 25000 Km In Siberia To Photograph Its Indigenous People, 6 Months Later Here’s The Result
Hi! My name is Alexander Khimushin. Nine years ago I packed my backpack to see the world and have been globe-trotting ever since visited 84 countries. While travelling the world, I realized that people are the most amazing part of it.
Three years ago I came up with an idea of the photo project 'The World In Faces' that would celebrate beauty and diversity of the world through the portraits of ordinary people. Especially from those remote places, where culture and traditions are still alive. Since then I have taken thousands of portraits all over the world. Last six months I photographed indigenous people of Siberia.
An enormous region, almost a double size of Australia and 30% larger than the United States, Canada or the whole Europe. Siberia is one of the world’s last frontiers of the unknown. No doubt, everyone heard that it is very cold and sparsely populated, but what do we know about people living there?
During my half-a-year-long solo journey, I covered 25,000 km to visit many remote locations across Siberia: from lake Baikal shores to the coast of Japan sea, from endless steppes of Mongolia to the coldest place on Earth - Yakutia. All with only one mission - to capture faces and traditions of various groups of indigenous people living there. While some of the ethnic groups are dominant in their regions, many others are on the edge of disappearance, with a total population as low as only a hundred people left. They remain largely unknown to the outside world.
More info: khimushin.com | Facebook | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#2
Ulchi Woman
Final score:
231points
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
That coat she's wearing is incredible...i imagine its waterproof? So interesting how she's incorporated silks and cotton.
#3
Sakha Girl
Final score:
227points
#4
Evenki Little Reindeer Herder
Final score:
223points
Jeremie Guerra 7 years ago
Daddy, daddy, I want a dog...wait no, a caribou! for my birthday :D
#5
Ulchi Girl
Final score:
202points
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
The cut aways on the cuffs of her sleeves are reversed--and it's like a kimono. Fascinating and beautiful. I wonder if she made it?
#7
Uilta Little Girl
Final score:
179points
Kimberly Putney 7 years ago
What a cutie! Love the dimple. She looks like a happy child. Innocent and unburdened.
#9
Evenki Little Girl
Final score:
143points
#11
Soyot Girl
Final score:
104points
#12
Evenki Girl
Final score:
100points
#13
Buryat Girl
Final score:
95points
#15
Tazy Woman
Final score:
91points
#16
Ainu Young Man
Final score:
91points
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
that robe is so gorgeous! What's the story behind it? the work is incredible--and the fabrics--are they made by the Ainu or traded?
#17
Negidal Girl
Final score:
88points
#18
Oroqen Man
Final score:
84points
#19
Evenki Mom With Baby
Final score:
80points
#20
Russkoustintsy Woman
Final score:
76points
#21
Shenehen Buryat Girl
Final score:
72points
#23
Yukagir Girl
Final score:
69points
#25
Even Young Man
Final score:
66points
Kathleen Lovell 7 years ago
He's not sure about the photography thing but proud of his clothes totally matching.
#27
Nanai Girl
Final score:
63points
#28
Udege Man
Final score:
62points
Flavia Slag 7 years ago
He has been on many hunts to feed his family and perhaps the whole tribe.
#33
Tuvan Mongolian Man
Final score:
58points
#34
Yakut Shaman
Final score:
58points
Terri Rowland 7 years ago
The design of the eagle is incredible, what is it made from and how is it attached?
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What do you think ?
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Wow. These photos are so beautiful, and the clothing shows such a range of styles--did they explain any of the stories behind them? the processes or their traditions or history? They are just amazing.
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
And god said: "Let's put the hottest girls to the coldest place of the Eatrh."
Danika Strong 7 years ago
proudly indigenous! their outfits remind me of the pictures of my native american ancestors 🙂
Crystal El 7 years ago
i think that you did a great job, it must be a great acheivment to travel the world. I have always dreamt to do that, im very curious about what people from different parts of the world are spending their days in. they are very beautiful, im impressed.
-- 7 years ago
I wish someone could tell them that people all over the world thought they looked beautiful in the pictures
Lyone Fein 7 years ago
It is interesting that the photographer chose to go with a more formal style of prearranged portraiture--where people know in advance that they are going to be photographed, and they all make sure to wear the nicest clothes they own, etc.--instead of a more candid style of photographing people doing their daily activities at home and work, out and about.
John Athan 7 years ago
I loved the photos.. Thank you for making such an amazing effort. One can only imagine the amazing stories and experiences that must have came with each step of your journey.. Awesome!
Beth Dubrick-Novicki 7 years ago
Breathtaking! How they are similar, but not. Their eyes speak volumes. What an incredible and interesting endeavor!
Iwona Milewska 7 years ago
These are all so beautiful! The journey was incredibly long but also incredibly worth it!
Катя Арнаудова 7 years ago
Those pictures just stole my heart. Amazing.. Beautiful. I love it!
Yugan Talovich 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing. Long may their cultures and languages endure.
Helen Atkinson 7 years ago
Absolutely stunning. Makes me want to visit. I'm indigenous from northern Canada.
Shruti Naik 7 years ago
Beautiful story.. love their craftsmanship.. Each robe and piece of jewellery is unique...
Tangerine Hsieh 7 years ago
Thank you so much for providing photos of folks living in Siberia. I belong to a special group - MtDNA Y1 Haplogroup with 26 other members. According to 23andMe, our ancient mothers migrated through Siberia then came down the eastern coasts of Russia, Japan, China, and Korea. Your fabulous portraiture collection has given me wonderful faces of people, many I share genetic heritage with. With gratitude beyond words, I thank you!
Anila Rani 7 years ago
They are really beautiful. It would have been better if you shared some stories related to their culture.
Robert Youngman 7 years ago
I love the pix. But do you really mean Siberia for all the photos? Were you in the Russian Far East as well? Can you tell me if any pix were taken in Khabarovsk Krai?
Laura Grace Sansum 7 years ago
Always wanted to visit Siberia some day <3 I'm actually currently learning the Sakha language. Beautiful photos and a wonderful diversity of cultures!
Em Jay 7 years ago
These photos capture the people beautifully and in some ways through the internet, others come to learn that the world is much bigger and more diverse than our own small little world. It seems that lately, there's been a lot of "I travel the world and took photographs of indigenous or [ fill in the group's name]." I wonder, these travelers and photographors can afford to travel thousands of miles, take nice photos of the local people then what? Leave, post photos on the internet or sell them on some stock photo website, make some money. What happens to the people you took photos of? You leave them behind in their poverty. Another traveler comes through and does the same thing. Another form of exploitation of indigenous communities.
Richardson Richard 7 years ago
They belong to different Turkic nationalities. About native americans i can say for sure that Cherokees are related with us. 🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿🇹🇲🇹🇲🇹🇲🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇬🇰🇬🇰🇬🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮
Satyani Adiwibowo 7 years ago
The first things came across my mind seeing this pictures were the words "raw beauty". Thank you fo sharing!
Arpeggi Lee 7 years ago
It would be more appropriate to refer to some of the girls as young women, to mirror the regard you have for young men.
Raluca Neacsu 7 years ago
wow. it's really hard for me to understand these people are from the 21st century. the photos are mindblowing
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Wow. These photos are so beautiful, and the clothing shows such a range of styles--did they explain any of the stories behind them? the processes or their traditions or history? They are just amazing.
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
And god said: "Let's put the hottest girls to the coldest place of the Eatrh."
Danika Strong 7 years ago
proudly indigenous! their outfits remind me of the pictures of my native american ancestors 🙂
Crystal El 7 years ago
i think that you did a great job, it must be a great acheivment to travel the world. I have always dreamt to do that, im very curious about what people from different parts of the world are spending their days in. they are very beautiful, im impressed.
-- 7 years ago
I wish someone could tell them that people all over the world thought they looked beautiful in the pictures
Lyone Fein 7 years ago
It is interesting that the photographer chose to go with a more formal style of prearranged portraiture--where people know in advance that they are going to be photographed, and they all make sure to wear the nicest clothes they own, etc.--instead of a more candid style of photographing people doing their daily activities at home and work, out and about.
John Athan 7 years ago
I loved the photos.. Thank you for making such an amazing effort. One can only imagine the amazing stories and experiences that must have came with each step of your journey.. Awesome!
Beth Dubrick-Novicki 7 years ago
Breathtaking! How they are similar, but not. Their eyes speak volumes. What an incredible and interesting endeavor!
Iwona Milewska 7 years ago
These are all so beautiful! The journey was incredibly long but also incredibly worth it!
Катя Арнаудова 7 years ago
Those pictures just stole my heart. Amazing.. Beautiful. I love it!
Yugan Talovich 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing. Long may their cultures and languages endure.
Helen Atkinson 7 years ago
Absolutely stunning. Makes me want to visit. I'm indigenous from northern Canada.
Shruti Naik 7 years ago
Beautiful story.. love their craftsmanship.. Each robe and piece of jewellery is unique...
Tangerine Hsieh 7 years ago
Thank you so much for providing photos of folks living in Siberia. I belong to a special group - MtDNA Y1 Haplogroup with 26 other members. According to 23andMe, our ancient mothers migrated through Siberia then came down the eastern coasts of Russia, Japan, China, and Korea. Your fabulous portraiture collection has given me wonderful faces of people, many I share genetic heritage with. With gratitude beyond words, I thank you!
Anila Rani 7 years ago
They are really beautiful. It would have been better if you shared some stories related to their culture.
Robert Youngman 7 years ago
I love the pix. But do you really mean Siberia for all the photos? Were you in the Russian Far East as well? Can you tell me if any pix were taken in Khabarovsk Krai?
Laura Grace Sansum 7 years ago
Always wanted to visit Siberia some day <3 I'm actually currently learning the Sakha language. Beautiful photos and a wonderful diversity of cultures!
Em Jay 7 years ago
These photos capture the people beautifully and in some ways through the internet, others come to learn that the world is much bigger and more diverse than our own small little world. It seems that lately, there's been a lot of "I travel the world and took photographs of indigenous or [ fill in the group's name]." I wonder, these travelers and photographors can afford to travel thousands of miles, take nice photos of the local people then what? Leave, post photos on the internet or sell them on some stock photo website, make some money. What happens to the people you took photos of? You leave them behind in their poverty. Another traveler comes through and does the same thing. Another form of exploitation of indigenous communities.
Richardson Richard 7 years ago
They belong to different Turkic nationalities. About native americans i can say for sure that Cherokees are related with us. 🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇺🇿🇺🇿🇺🇿🇹🇲🇹🇲🇹🇲🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇬🇰🇬🇰🇬🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮
Satyani Adiwibowo 7 years ago
The first things came across my mind seeing this pictures were the words "raw beauty". Thank you fo sharing!
Arpeggi Lee 7 years ago
It would be more appropriate to refer to some of the girls as young women, to mirror the regard you have for young men.
Raluca Neacsu 7 years ago
wow. it's really hard for me to understand these people are from the 21st century. the photos are mindblowing
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