One Day in the Coldest Village on Earth −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia

Kiun B

2 Mar 202217:34

Summary

TLDRIn Yakutia, Kirill Petrov's daily routine involves heating his home with a wood-burning stove to combat the extreme cold. Villagers rely on harvested ice for water due to frozen pipes. Kirill's wife, Liubov, prepares a dairy-based breakfast as fruits and vegetables are scarce. Their son, Arayan, attends school when temperatures are above -54°C, braving the elements with proper clothing. The community values education, and Arayan's future is bright if he excels. Despite the harsh climate, life thrives with traditional crafts, fishing, and a strong sense of community, showcasing the Yakut people's resilience and harmony with nature.

Takeaways

❄️ Kirill Petrov, a resident of Yakutia, starts his day by heating his house with a wood-burning stove to combat the extreme cold.
🌡 Due to the harsh climate, Yakutia experiences temperatures below -55°C, making it too dangerous for children to attend school.
🏡 Villagers rely on ice as their primary water source, as water treatment facilities are non-existent due to freezing pipes.
🥞 For breakfast, the family enjoys high-energy foods like fatty pancakes and whipped cream to keep warm during the cold winters.
👕 Proper clothing is crucial for survival in Yakutia, with multiple layers and insulated boots being a must to protect against the cold.
🏫 Arian, Kirill's son, attends primary school where education lasts for 11 years before university, studying three languages: Russian, English, and Sakha.
🍎 Regular meals are essential for the children to maintain energy levels in the cold, with a second breakfast of apples and other foods provided at school.
🏠 Homes in the village are made of wood, and residents burn over 60 cubic meters of wood each winter to keep warm.
🔨 Kirill is a craftsman who teaches his son traditional Yakut knife-making, a skill passed down through generations.
🎣 Fishing and hunting are significant for food in Yakutia, with Arian enjoying these activities with his father, showcasing the community's connection with nature.

Q & A

What is the first thing Kirill Petrov does every morning?
-Kirill Petrov heats the house with a wood-burning stove to keep his family warm on the icy cold mornings in Yakutia.
Why is wood so important for Kirill and his family?
-Wood is crucial as they need a lot of it to heat their house non-stop for nine months due to the severe climate in Yakutia.
What is the main source of water in the village due to the lack of water treatment facilities?
-Ice is the main source of water in the village, as the pipes freeze during the long winter, and villagers harvest ice from the river.
What type of breakfast does Liubov prepare for the family?
-Liubov prepares a breakfast of kercheh, which is whipped cream with a strawberry germ, harvested during the summer.
What is the temperature condition for children to attend school in Yakutia?
-Children in Yakutia attend school when it's warmer than minus 54 degrees Celsius, but it's too dangerous to go to school if the temperature drops below minus 55 degrees Celsius.
What does Aryan use to wash his face and brush his teeth in the morning?
-Aryan uses ice-cold water that his dad prepared earlier.
What is the significance of wearing proper clothing in Yakutia's extreme winters?
-Wearing several layers of clothing and insulated boots is essential for survival in Yakutia's extreme winters, as the cold can reach deep inside bones and threaten life.
How do the locals, including Aryan's family, keep their houses warm during the winter?
-Locals burn more than 60 cubic meters of wood on average every winter and fill every gap with oakum or snow to keep the house warm and protect it from freezing air.
What languages do Yakut people study at school?
-Yakut people study three languages at school: Russian, English, and Sakha, which is their mother tongue and belongs to the Turkic language group.
What is the traditional craft that Aryan's father, Kirill, is teaching him?
-Kirill is teaching Aryan the traditional craft of making Yakut knives, which have been an important part of Yakut culture for centuries.
How do the people of Yakutia manage without indoor toilets during the winter?
-In Yakutia, there are no indoor toilets because the pipes freeze easily. All activities related to toilets happen outside, and people are very efficient to avoid spending too much time in the cold.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Daily Life in Yakutia: Morning Routines and Challenges

The script introduces Kirill Petrov, a resident of Yakutia, who begins his day by heating his home with a wood-burning stove to combat the extreme cold. Yakutia's harsh climate necessitates burning wood for up to nine months non-stop. Water scarcity is addressed, with ice being the primary source due to frozen pipes. Kirill's wife, Liubov, prepares a traditional breakfast of kercheh, a dessert made with whipped cream and strawberry germ. The children can attend school if temperatures are above minus 54 degrees, but it's too dangerous below minus 55 degrees. Arian, the youngest son, wakes up to a relatively warm day at minus 40 degrees and prepares for school using ice-cold water. The importance of proper clothing in these conditions is emphasized, with layers and insulated boots being essential to avoid frostbite. The community's reliance on wood for heating and the local diet, which includes dairy due to the difficulty of growing fruits and vegetables, are also highlighted.

05:28

🎒 Arian's School Day: Education and Community in Yakutia

Arian, a nine-year-old boy, braves the cold on his way to school, which he attends when temperatures are not too extreme. His school day includes five hours of classes in various subjects, including math, literature, art, geography, history, and languages. The children in Yakutia learn Russian, English, and Sakha, their native language. The importance of regular meals to maintain energy in the cold is underscored by the school's provision of a second breakfast. After school, Arian and his friends enjoy local snacks, such as ice cream, despite the cold. The community's close-knit nature ensures parents are not overly worried about their children. The script also describes the village's architecture, with wooden houses and the use of oakum or snow to insulate against the cold. The local wildlife, including wild yaks and horses, is highlighted for their ability to withstand the extreme cold.

10:47

⛏️ Arian's Afternoon: Crafts, Chores, and Traditional Skills

After school, Arian returns home to help his father, Kirill, who is a craftsman known for making traditional Yakut knives. These knives are significant in Yakut culture and are made from locally sourced materials like iron ore and birch wood. Arian learns these traditional crafts, which have been passed down through generations. He also helps with daily chores, such as chopping firewood, which is essential for survival in the extreme cold. Lunch involves preparing fish caught by Arian's father, highlighting the importance of fishing and hunting as food sources in Yakutia. The script also mentions the lack of indoor toilets due to the freezing temperatures, with all bathroom activities taking place outside. Arian's favorite part of the fish, the roe, is described as particularly tasty and nutritious.

15:53

🎣 Arian's Leisure Time: Fishing and the Beauty of Yakutia

The script concludes with Arian spending quality time with his father, engaging in activities like fishing and hunting. These activities are not just for survival but also a way to bond and appreciate the beauty of their harsh yet beautiful environment. Arian enjoys fishing, especially during the traditional ice fishing season. The script emphasizes the community's harmony with nature and their appreciation for the natural resources available to them. Despite the challenges, the people of Yakutia find beauty and joy in their surroundings, with a positive attitude towards the weather and life in general.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Yakutia

Yakutia, also known as the Sakha Republic, is a region in Russia characterized by its extreme cold climate. In the video, Yakutia is depicted as a place where the inhabitants face harsh living conditions due to the severe cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 55 degrees Celsius, making it too dangerous for children to attend school. The region's climate also affects their lifestyle, such as heating their homes with wood-burning stoves and sourcing water from ice due to frozen pipes.

💡Wood-burning stove

A wood-burning stove is a heating device that uses wood as fuel. In the context of the video, Kirill Petrov, a resident of Yakutia, uses a wood-burning stove to heat his house during the icy mornings. This is essential for survival in the region's harsh climate, where wood is burned non-stop for nine months to keep the house warm, illustrating the reliance on such traditional heating methods in Yakutia.

💡Ice harvesting

Ice harvesting is the process of cutting and collecting ice from bodies of water, typically during winter. In the video, villagers in Yakutia harvest ice from the river in November when the temperature is favorable. This ice serves as their main source of water since water treatment facilities are non-existent due to the freezing of pipes during the long winters, highlighting the community's adaptation to their environment.

💡Kercheh

Kercheh is a traditional Yakutian dessert made with whipped cream and a type of berry called 'strawberry germ,' which is harvested during the summer. The video mentions that due to the harsh climate in Yakutia, growing fruits and vegetables is almost impossible, making dairy products and preserved items like kercheh essential components of their diet.

💡Extreme cold

Extreme cold refers to the severe sub-zero temperatures that are common in Yakutia. The video describes how the cold affects daily life, such as the need for children to attend school only when temperatures are above minus 54 degrees Celsius. It also emphasizes the importance of proper clothing and the dangers of frostbite, showcasing the resilience of the people living in such conditions.

💡Layers of clothing

Layers of clothing are multiple pieces of garments worn one on top of the other to provide insulation and protection from the cold. In the video, it is mentioned that wearing several layers of clothing is an absolute must for survival in Yakutia's extreme winters. This practice is crucial for retaining body heat and protecting against frostbite, as exemplified by the villagers' attire.

💡Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship refers to the skill and artistry involved in making items by hand. In the video, Kirill is portrayed as a craftsman who makes traditional Yakut knives, which are known for their strength and beauty. This showcases the cultural importance of traditional crafts in Yakutia and the passing down of these skills through generations.

💡Fishing and hunting

Fishing and hunting are depicted in the video as essential activities for obtaining food in Yakutia. Aryan, the young boy featured in the video, enjoys fishing with his father, and the community relies on these practices for sustenance, especially during the cold seasons when other food sources are scarce.

💡Kuiuur

Kuiuur is a traditional Yakutian ice fishing method mentioned in the video. It involves using rods and nets to catch fish through the ice. This practice is a significant part of Yakutian culture and a way for the community to sustain themselves during the long winters, as demonstrated by Aryan and his father's ice fishing experience.

💡Harmony with nature

Harmony with nature is the concept of living in balance and respect for the environment. The video concludes with the message that despite the challenges of living in Yakutia's extreme climate, the people have learned to live in harmony with nature, appreciating its beauty and the resources it provides. This reflects the community's adaptation and respect for their environment.

Highlights

Kirill Petrov starts his day by heating the house with a wood-burning stove to combat Yakutia's extreme cold.

Yakutia's severe climate necessitates burning wood non-stop for nine months to maintain warmth.

Villagers harvest ice from the river in November as a primary water source due to frozen pipes.

Liubov, Kirill's wife, prepares a breakfast of kercheh, whipped cream, and strawberry germ, a rare treat in Yakutia.

Aryan, the youngest son, attends primary school only if temperatures are above minus 54 degrees.

Aryan's morning routine includes washing with ice-cold water and eating high-energy breakfasts.

Proper clothing, including several layers and insulated boots, is crucial for surviving Yakutia's winters.

Aryan's mother ensures everyone is dressed adequately to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

Aryan's school day begins with math, literature, art, geography, history, and languages, including the local Sakha language.

Yakut children have a second breakfast at school to maintain energy levels in the cold.

Aryan and his friends enjoy ice cream despite the extreme cold, highlighting their adaptability.

The village is close-knit with about 800 people, and every house is made of wood for warmth.

Yakutian horses, with their thick skin and heavy hair, can withstand temperatures down to minus 70 degrees.

Kirill, a craftsman, teaches Arayan traditional knife-making, passing down centuries-old skills.

Aryan helps with chores like chopping firewood, understanding the importance of work in Yakutia's harsh climate.

Aryan's favorite meal is carp fish, caught by his father, which is a staple in Yakutian cuisine.

Fishing and hunting are vital for food in Yakutia, and Arayan enjoys these activities with his father.

The people of Yakutia have learned to live in harmony with nature, appreciating its beauty even in extreme cold.