ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ushkuiniks

Okay, kiddo. So, ushkuiniks are people who travel a lot on ice roads in Siberia. These roads are made of frozen rivers and lakes that are slippery and cold. Ushkuiniks usually travel on sleds pulled by horses or dogs. They have to be really careful because the ice can break and they can fall into the cold water.

Ushkuiniks often carry goods with them, like fish, furs, and other stuff that people in Siberia need. They also sometimes carry important messages from one town to another. Because the ice roads can be dangerous and difficult to navigate, ushkuiniks are very skilled at what they do. They know how to read the snow and ice to figure out where it's safe to travel.

In the old days, ushkuiniks were kind of like superheroes. They were the only way to get things from one place to another when the main roads were covered in snow. Nowadays, people don't rely on ushkuiniks as much because there are better ways to get around in Siberia. But they still play an important role in the history and culture of the region.