Jokkmokk Winter Festival
JokkmokkWinterMarket by Wiki Commons
The first Thursday of every February sees one of the coldest festivals in the world taking place in the arctic circle. It is meant to bring together the indigenous peoples that live on the freezing tundra, bringing light and warmth to their lives in an otherwise bleak winter.
This is where the Sámi people get together to sell and trade their wares. As one of the only aboriginal groups in Europe, the Sámi people have lived in the chilly stretch of land known in English as Lapland for ages. The area cuts through Sweden, Norway, Finland, and part of Russia. The indigenous peoples often herd reindeer for a living, and sell their reindeer themed products at the Jokkmokk Winter Festival each year.
Thousands of people converge on Jokkmokk to peruse the stands and revel in Sámi culture for a three day celebration. Reindeer meat is a staple of the incredibly mouth-watering food here, such as the reindeer sausage that cooks for ten hours. Local berries and sauces adorn traditional dishes and add zest to the meal.
Hides and belts are sold, along with hand woven colorful tunics and well-made curl-toed boots. But perhaps the most enchanting part of the festival is watching the reindeer parade through town. There is also a very popular reindeer race, as sleds are pulled through the snow side by side at a breakneck pace.
Temperatures are always well below freezing, and multiple layers of clothing are essential for warmth and wellbeing.
This is where the Sámi people get together to sell and trade their wares. As one of the only aboriginal groups in Europe, the Sámi people have lived in the chilly stretch of land known in English as Lapland for ages. The area cuts through Sweden, Norway, Finland, and part of Russia. The indigenous peoples often herd reindeer for a living, and sell their reindeer themed products at the Jokkmokk Winter Festival each year.
Thousands of people converge on Jokkmokk to peruse the stands and revel in Sámi culture for a three day celebration. Reindeer meat is a staple of the incredibly mouth-watering food here, such as the reindeer sausage that cooks for ten hours. Local berries and sauces adorn traditional dishes and add zest to the meal.
Hides and belts are sold, along with hand woven colorful tunics and well-made curl-toed boots. But perhaps the most enchanting part of the festival is watching the reindeer parade through town. There is also a very popular reindeer race, as sleds are pulled through the snow side by side at a breakneck pace.
Temperatures are always well below freezing, and multiple layers of clothing are essential for warmth and wellbeing.
