Saami Handcrafts - Part Two

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Wayland

Hárbarðr
Thank you for your response to Part One, time for the next instalment.

(I have added what I think are the Saami names for some of these items. I could be wrong about these words, languages is not one of my strong points so if anyone knows better please let me know.)

I thought some of the antler work would be interesting for you, many people have seen the knife sheaths so I'll save them for another time but there are some other really nice bits that are often overlooked.

For the Saami reindeer herders a lasso (Souhpan) is a very important piece of equipment and slides (Kiella or Coarvegiella) like these are relatively common, for some reason though I only seem to have this single picture, (I was sure I had more somewhere.)

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Another ubiquitous item is the needle case (Nallo Goahti). In an environment where damaged clothing could be life threatening, it is difficult to overstate the importance of a needle and thread. I always carry a simple repair set with a leather working awl as well. I have yet to make anything as beautiful as these examples though.

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Such techniques could also be used for jewellery too, as demonstrated by these pendants. The first design is inspired by the shamanic bowl drum (N. Kobday / S. Gievrie or Rumbu ?), I don't know if the second shape has any particular significance but I've seen the shape on numerous examples and it reminds me somewhat of the kuksa (Gukse)that are such a distinctive cultural item in Scandinavia.

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I don't know how traditional these are, they are common items available for sale to tourists but I did find these examples in a museum display. (Unfortunately I couldn't read the label to find out more.)

There are modern craftspeople producing contemporary pieces using the same techniques for the home market too.

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Wow, some lovely pieces of work there. Just last night was watching on Youtube, some of the Ray Mears Swedish eps, which included some beautiful antler 'skrimshaw' work. Oh for just an iota's bit of that talent.. :D
 
Now that is the stuff I really love looking at, everything is just so perfect about them. You never see any cock-ups on the engraving, it is machine perfect. Keep posting stuff like this please.
 
I too always carry repair kit but its in a wee plastic box..;-) really need to make something a bit more aethetic and in natural materials
thanks for sharing
jon
 
I share your admiration for Saami crafts - form, function, decoration & symbolism fused in such a unique & often beautiful fashion.

I've been meaning to make a needle case for ages, high time i had a crack at one.

Thanks for these.
 
Great pics Wayland :)

Here are a few items I've picked up over the years...

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A little sewing kit (sadly the bone needle that it contained has been lost).

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For those interested in Duodji (Sami crafts) or if you just want to see more pictures, here are a few links...

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/siida/craft/saitton.htm

http://www.nordicway.se/Kniven/Helhornskniven.aspx

http://home.earthlink.net/~arran4/siida/sami-duodji.htm

http://saamiblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.fredklemetsen.com/sami/sami.html

http://www.museumsnett.no/saltdalmuseum/Saltdal museum/samisk/billedside.htm

Additionally I'd recommend the film 'Kukushka' directed by Aleksandr Rogozhkin

Beautifully filmed movie and many Saami craft items are to be seen throughout, I was thoroughly entertained :)

Info and pics here...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308476/

And the fim 'Kautokeino-opprøret' directed by Nils Gaup is worth a look too.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479937/

:)
 
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