Traditions of the Sami & Nenet Reindeer Herders (warning - picture of dead reindeer)

[timboggle]

I came across an interesting article about the Nenet Reindeer herders of Siberia recently and found that their tradition of drinking Reindeer blood is very similar to that of the Sami.

I must admit the first time I was invited to join in with this tradition, after assisting in skinning a Reindeer with the Innari Sami in Norway a few years back, was met with some trepidation, and still is, even after doing it several times since.

We then use the remainder of the blood to make Pancakes.

Has any other folks participated in this ritual and if given the opportunity would you do it or decline it?

Here's the Article link

And below is a couple of pics:
Top - Bleeding the Reindeer
Bottom - Skinning the Reindeer, note the bowl and cups in the snow, right handside

 

[Tengu]

Nope, raw blood isnt very digestible.

Have to take a black pudding recipe with me.

 

[John Fenna]

I may be seen as odd here - but I like the taste of blood!I do not get to indulge in it much, and have only had beef blood (and my own when smacked in the chops or been to the dentist) but it aint too bad!

 

[Toddy]

Is it not a kind of world wide thing among animal herders ?
The Masai mix it with milk I was told.

Tbh though, I think they'd like black pudding
It could be culture altering experience for them
Do they not make sausagey things ?

Interesting post, thanks for the link I can't see why that wouldn't work with red deer, you know on the farms sort of thing.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[timboggle]

Aye Toddy, you're right about the Masai, they mix it with Goats milk, it's also part of a young man's 'rite of passage'

The pancakes we made were basically just like plate sized black puddings, as can be seen in the pic below left, and yes, we retreived the intestine skins to make sausages as seen in the pic below right - they waste nothing.

Tengu, I totally understand mate - not everyones cup of tea.

John, I don't think you're odd at all mate

 

[BOD]

Do they nick a vein every now and then for a quick drink when moving?

 

[timboggle]

Do they nick a vein every now and then for a quick drink when moving?

I not sure about that one mate - I never witnessed it.

 

[Hoodoo]

Nope, raw blood isnt very digestible.

Have to take a black pudding recipe with me.

I've never heard that before. Why so?

 

[Toddy]

Moved thread to spare those who have issues with workplaces, etc.,

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Front Room Woodlander]

Similar experience in Africa with goats blood and intestines.
I admit when the finished article was cooked and presented I couldnt get my mind off the conditions it had been prepared in and declined politely.

 

[Tor helge]

When moose hunting we occationally drink the blood from the killed moose. Preferably with a dash of moonshine in it, but also just pure blood.

So I wouldn`t decline.

Tor

 

[nuggets]

is it not a sign of respect to the animal for giving its life for yours ??

 

[timboggle]

When moose hunting we occationally drink the blood from the killed moose. Preferably with a dash of moonshine in it, but also just pure blood.

So I wouldn`t decline.

Tor

Excellant mate