Yamal means “the end of the world.” And it is an apt name for this frigid land of permafrost and unforgiving temperatures which can plummet to -50°C. Local people live in teepee-shaped tents called chums, which are  five to six meters in diameter, supported by strong wooden poles and completely covered by multiple layers of reindeer skins. At the center of each chum is a metal wood-fired oven used both for cooking and heating. Sleeping, preparing food and eating are all done inside this warm shelter. In the Nenets community, women generally do all the cooking, cleaning and sewing while caring for any sick or orphaned reindeer. The men handle the reindeer herd, watch out for natural predators like wolverines and polar bears, chop firewood and repair sleds.