Description: When we were told that we were going on a reindeer safari, we still had no clue as to what this day would turn out to be. We suited up in our snowgear for a day with the reindeer.
We arrived at the reindeer farm owned by Riitta and Penti, the Sami couple who graciously invited our group to experience their culture and share a part of their daily life. Before anything could be said or explained, the reindeer ceremony began. In solemn silence, our group was immediately transformed into a symbolic line of reindeer. The head person was given the reindeer antlers and bell to wear, and the rest of the group were lined up and were led by rope into the Sami kota (a kind of teepee made out of reindeer skins. Riitta and Penti, both dressed in traditional Sami clothing, began a ceremononial chant and dance. The ritual ended with a "baptism" where each member of our group was "baptized" with the holding of the antlers over our head while drinking their offering of tea and licorice candy.
Reindeer farming is the one of the main aspects to traditional Sami livelihood. For Riita and Penti, their income is based on a combination of things: berry-picking, reindeer farming and tours. On this day, we were given the unique opportunity to witness how their modern life mixes with their cultural practices. They invited us into their modest wood-paneled home and their traiditonal kota and shared their stories.
Penti brought us on the long-awaited "reindeer safari." Each person had their own sled to sit on, each sled connected to one reindeer. We kept warm in our sleds with reindeer skins and a blanket. With his lead reindeer, Penti led our reindeer train on a ride that I'll never forget. We embarked on an exhausting hour-long journey (both for the reindeer and for us - the reindeer were so close to our heads we could hear them panting in our ears!) through snowy, scenic trails through his farmland.
When we finally reached home, Riitta greeted us and brought us back to the kota where she had prepared a wonderful meal. Reindeer stew topped over mashed potatoes with a side of fresh lingonberries sweetened with a little sugar. They even served hot tea prepared over the fire. Everything tasted especially good. Dessert was another unique affair. We were given metal pans attached to long wooden sticks to cook our own crepes over the fire. Riitta even had a homemade lingonberry jam to spread over the fire-cooked crepes. So good.
What made this day so great, so memorable, was our meeting with Riitta and Penti. Their humor, warmth and generosity created the magic of this "reindeer safari" adventure. Kiitos!!
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