They lived in conical tents called CHOOMS, built with reindeer skin and birch logs.
Men were dressed in a large leather tunic named MALIOTSA, lined with fur, together with a headgear made in sealskin. Women wore a reindeer leather jacket with a belt round the waist which then formed a wide flared skirt with some flounces made in seal and bear skin, then with a final flounce which was made from a dog’s coat.

In general, in each tent there lived four to ten people and inside, on the ground, there were some raw hides used as seats for the day and beds for the night.
They led a quiet life according to the elementary rules of nature; their laws were simple and their religion primitive.

The Samoyeds ate reindeer meat dividing their food with their dogs. They were forced to move frequently to find good pastures for their cattle and as they moved they built stores along the way to keep food, leather and hunting-tools.
Men could hunt and fish to get a living, while women attended to the reindeer herds (together with their dogs),they tanned hides, prepared meat, fish and berries for food and made clothes.

The Samoyed’s marriage was arranged when the bride was very young, about twelve. Young girls were married at a price arranged between the parents.
The Samoyeds were very religious; each village had a church consisting of a wooden hut. Divine office was celebrated once a year because their religious leader often travelled from far off lands and he had many parishes to manage.