The mysterious Nivkh people, or “the children of the sea and the taiga,” as they call themselves, live in the northern part of Sakhalin Island. The Nivkh have lived hand in hand with nature for hundreds of years, and to this day their primary activities include hunting and fishing. They have, of course, also managed to adapt to modern life in other ways. The Nivkh number at a little over 5,000 and are known for their unusual beliefs. They believe that the spirits of the Sea, Forest, Earth and Air help them in their everyday lives. This belief is reflected creatively through their melancholy songs and expressive dances. The Russian Travel Guide’s Igor Maximenko found out what gear fishermen use when hunting salmon, the correct way to sun-cure the fish and how Nivkh summer and winter houses are built. Learn this and much more in RTG TV’s new programme from Sakhalin Island.