Ivar Kvaal
ivarkvaal.com post@ivarkvaal.com 0047 9706 3439
Tethered To The Polestar
The indigenous people of northern Scandinavia are struggling to rediscover their own culture and traditions. Like most indigenous peoples around the world, the Sami were oppressed and mistreated. Sami land and resources were exploited. Schools were built in Sami areas in which the pupils would be taught in Norwegian only, and not their native Sami language. These restrictions meant that most Sami children went through school without learning anything. The mistreatment of the Sami eventually resulted in the Sami rejecting their own culture and heritage. ‘Saminess’ was perceived by most people – including many Sami – as culturally inferior and a hindrance in daily life.
The Polestar has been crucial for the Samis navigation on the arctic plains throughout the centuries, a reference point in the night sky, a tool to keep track of time and important in the Sami creation myths and Sami history. One myth tells us that when the link between Arran, which is the fireplace in the lavvu, and Boahji, which translates to the Polestar, is broken, the world will end.
In the landscape throughout Northern Scandinavia, one can find Sieidis, places that have unusual landforms that are different from the surrounding countryside. At these Sieidis, sacrifices are made. One example of this is the football shoes left at The Sara Rock, a Siedi in Troms. A Sami football player left the shoes for good luck in 2006. The shoes are still there, visible as a metaphor of the abandoned Sami traditions.
Even to this day many Sami are reluctant to show their identity, and use their own national costume out in the public. Many have moved to different parts of the country, or live ordinary modern lives. The fireplace is no longer burning in the Sami lavvus and the world – at least the traditional world of the Sami – has ended.
The indigenous people of northern Scandinavia are struggling to rediscover their own culture and traditions. Like most indigenous peoples around the world, the Sami were oppressed and mistreated. Sami land and resources were exploited. Schools were built in Sami areas in which the pupils would be taught in Norwegian only, and not their native Sami language. These restrictions meant that most Sami children went through school without learning anything. The mistreatment of the Sami eventually resulted in the Sami rejecting their own culture and heritage. ‘Saminess’ was perceived by most people – including many Sami – as culturally inferior and a hindrance in daily life.
The Polestar has been crucial for the Samis navigation on the arctic plains throughout the centuries, a reference point in the night sky, a tool to keep track of time and important in the Sami creation myths and Sami history. One myth tells us that when the link between Arran, which is the fireplace in the lavvu, and Boahji, which translates to the Polestar, is broken, the world will end.
In the landscape throughout Northern Scandinavia, one can find Sieidis, places that have unusual landforms that are different from the surrounding countryside. At these Sieidis, sacrifices are made. One example of this is the football shoes left at The Sara Rock, a Siedi in Troms. A Sami football player left the shoes for good luck in 2006. The shoes are still there, visible as a metaphor of the abandoned Sami traditions.
Even to this day many Sami are reluctant to show their identity, and use their own national costume out in the public. Many have moved to different parts of the country, or live ordinary modern lives. The fireplace is no longer burning in the Sami lavvus and the world – at least the traditional world of the Sami – has ended.
Images & Text © 2010 Ivar Kvaal