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Saami Handcrafts. {Duodji}

I have been inspired by many cultures that I have come into contact with, either through their people or their artefacts. Here is a small selection of the beautiful Saami artefacts I have seen in various museums and collections. Some were photographed under difficult conditions and through glass but I hope you will still enjoy them.

I should mention that any mistakes in classification or naming of these objects is entirely my own. The Saami speak a number of different languages and labelling of these items is often quite confusing.

Even the word Saami itself can also be spelt Sami or Sámi.  Here I have mainly used Saami because it best reflects the way I have heard the word used.

Where I have come across a Saami word for an item I have included it in brackets but please do not assume that these are correct in all cases. I have drawn from other sources that could be just as confused as I am.                Languages are not one of my strong points.

Saami lariat slide

For reindeer herders like the Saami a lasso {Sudhpan or Suohpan} is an essential tool. On the left we have two lasso  slides {Coarvegiella or Kiella} made from reindeer horn or antler.

Below are a selection of knives and scabbards.

Saami knife and sheathSaami sheath detail
Saami knife and sheathSaami knife and sheathSaami sheath detailSaami knife and sheath

The Sami often carry two knives, the smaller puukko {buiku or unna niibaš} and the larger leuko {stuorra niibi}.

A distinctive feature of these knives is the reindeer horn sheath which leads to them often being called horn or antler knives.  (Half horn in these cases.)

Here we also have three drinking cups {Gukse} and a salt bottle.

Saami cupSaami cup
Saami cupSaami salt bottle

Antler and horn spoons {Coarvebaste}.

Saami spoons
Saami antler working tools

And a selection of the tools used to work with antler and in particular I think the making of  loom heddles like the one shown in use below.

Saami loom
Saami woven belt

A woven belt detail

A woven belt and equipment.

Saami belt and equipment
Saami belt buckle

An antler belt buckle.

This is a contemporary pouch made by a Saami craftsperson.

Saami style pouch
Saami-40

a very poor picture of a reindeer skin backpack.

Saami needle case

A selection of hanging needle cases. {Nallo Goahti}

Saami needle case
Saami needle casesSaami needle case and ear spoon

A board game of some kind.

I only wish I could tell you what the rules are.

Saami game
Saami drum pendant

Pendants, the one on the left is based on the design of the Shamanic bowl drum.

Saami pendant
Saami shamanic bowl drum

It is perhaps not too surprising that some of the finest craftsmanship ir displayed in items of a spiritual nature.

Amongst the Saami, the shamanic drum {Kobday or Gievrie or Rumbu} holds a very special significance and here we have a selection of drums and beaters.

Saami shamanic bowl drum and beater
 Saami drum beater
Saami bowl drum
Saami drum beaterViking age drum beater
Saami drum beater
Saami drum beater
Saami drum beater

A selection of snares for birds and small animals.

Saami snares
Saami snares

Hunting spears.

Saami-28
Saami-8

And in case you thought such items were all from a culture that was not still living and vibrant, here are a couple of contemporary items made by Saami craftspeople.

If you have enjoyed this page I think you might find this site interesting too

Saami-7
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Ravenlore is a site promoting Bushcraft and Wilderness skills as a way of working, living and enjoying the wilderness with minimal impact on it’s resources. Bushcraft should be practised in a responsible manner with consideration for the environment and other people who seek to enjoy the outdoors.

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Ravenlore Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills
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Bushcraft skills complement many outdoor living pursuits such as walking, mountaineering, canoeing, hunting, fishing and in my case at least landscape photography. In fact I find the equipment suited to bushcraft often far exceeds the specification and usefulness of other high tech outdoor equipment.

Bushcraft and wilderness skills should always be practised with respect for the environment and other users of the outdoors. Leave No Trace.

All text, images and artwork on this site are the property of Gary Waidson and protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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