The Seven Reindeer of the Sky
A Nenets celestial myth about seven magical reindeer that traverse the sky, forming the constellation that guides Nenets reindeer herders on their seasonal migrations. According to the legend, the seven reindeer were originally earthly animals belonging to a great shaman who could fly. When the shaman ascended to the sky to negotiate with Num for better conditions for his people, the reindeer followed him and were transformed into stars. Their yearly path across the heavens marks the seasons for the Nenets — when they appear in the east, spring is coming; when they are overhead during the long