 |
| The summer is a short but intensive period for the reindeer herders because they have to find their own calves in a herd of thousands of reindeer. Photo: Marie-Luise Niia. |
Reindeer as a livelihood
Reindeer husbandry is a central and very important trade in Sami society. The trade is not only a way of achieving an income - it is also the bearer of a long cultural tradition and a Sami identity.
Reindeer herding is intimately connected with Sami culture, and is a tradition that extends a very long way into the past. Over thousands of years it has developed from the hunting of wild reindeer to modern-day reindeer herding. Even today, however, the rhythm of reindeer husbandry is governed by nature, as the reindeer follow the natural pasture all year round.
People in general and reindeer herders in particular have to give consideration to the reindeer and to nature, not the other way around. The job of the reindeer herder is to be the reindeer's protector and to create good conditions for earning a livelihood from his trade.
Constantly on the move
The reindeer roam and are moved from one grazing area to another within each sameby. The grazing areas have different properties that make them suitable for reindeer husbandry at different times of the year. Special migration routes, which are often very old, are used to move the animals between the different areas. Apart from these routes the reindeer herders also use enclosures to gather, separate, mark and/or slaughter the reindeer.
The work with the reindeer is adapted to the animals' natural behaviour, as well as to weather and grazing conditions. Reindeer husbandry is sensitive to interference from other land users and predators. It is especially important not to disturb the reindeer in the spring at calving time. They are also sensitive to disturbance at other times of the year, for example during migration. If they are disturbed in a narrow passage such as crossing a road, the whole herd may scatter, which involves a great deal of extra work for the reindeer herders.
Senast ändrad: 2006-09-08 |
|
|
 |
|
... Reindeer husbandry is an anctient livelyhood and dates back to the viking age and medieval times.
... there are around 900 reindeer husbandry companies in Sweden.
... the reindeer business has a turnover of around SEK 150 million annually.
... there are around 230,000 reindeer in Sweden.
... The Sami Parliament has a business administrator.
|
 |
|
[Litteratur]
Renskötselrätt, Ulrika Geijer, SSR.
Sapmi i förändringens tid. En studie av svenska samers levnadsvillkor under 1900-talet ur ett genus- och etnicitetsperspektiv. Andrea Amft. ISBN 91-66466-28-0.
|
|
