THE HUNT

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The Udege people, in eastern Siberia, have lived in the boreal forest for hundreds of years. Due to their
close contact with nature, their beliefs are full of references to supernatural forces that they believe should
be respected. In 1997 a Russian poacher called Markov came across the trail of a enormous Amur tiger. Despite the risk,
Markov saw the tiger’s footprints as a promise for a better life. He shot the tiger, but was not able to kill it.
Udege people believe that if someone attacks a tiger without good reason, Amba, the dark side of the
tiger, will hunt him down. Without realising it, Markov had unleashed the Amba. Over the following 72
hours the animal tracked him down and killed him. Later investigations suggested that the tiger planned its
movements with a rare mix of strategy and instinct and most importantly, with a chilling clarity of purpose:
Amba was seeking revenge. This animistic belief constitutes the leitmotiv to experience the impact of nature in the Udege communities across one of the last remnants of shamanism: the culture of the hunter.
The book is designed by Ramón Pez, recognised as one of the most important photobook designers
currently working internationally. His work has won several awards.