23/06/08 - The Sami people, Jämtland and Vikings.

It was back to Jamtli first thing in the morning where we visited the
more orthodox section; the museum. Here we learnt about the native
Sami people, and how for centuries they followed their Reindeer herds
along their migration routes from high in the mountains during summer
to the lower areas come winter. The Sami were excellent at making use
of almost every part of a culled Reindeer's body, and they always only
culled just enough Reindeer to survive - there was no over-indulgence
by anyone!! Today the Sami people share a similar story to so many
other native peoples around the world. With difference cultures
moving in and destroying the Sami people's way of life. This has
resulted in the Sami culture and language coming under threat.
However, it is legislated that all reindeer belong to the Sami and
there a resurgence of culture amongst young Sami people.

Also in the museum was a small section on the province of Jämtland,
where for many years as a result of different wars, it has been taken,
returned, conquered, re-conquered, re-taken several times by Denmark,
Sweden and Norway. I am sure all that has now come to an end, but
apparently there is (although not very serious) a group that wants to
see Jämtland an independent country!!

Another exhibit was of surprisingly well preserved 1000 year old
Viking weavings called Överhogdal Tapestries.These pieces were found
stored away in an old church, some being used as cleaning cloths!
There seems to be a technique the Vikings used to help preserve
materials that has now been lost over the centuries.
As but there is no written history to record what stories are on the
Tapestries there are a number of theories ranging from Pagan themes,
Doomsday, or Christian stories.

What was meant to be a morning outing to the museum turned into a good
part of the afternoon, so we didn't make it to Àre mountains until the
evening. The trip across was beautiful, as it took us around Lake
Störjön for a bit, then onto a FREE ferry, over an island in the lake,
on another FREE ferry (why can't Norway take leasons off Sweden :-),
then up the valley to Àre.