Kiruna Local Customs

The Sami people live in Lappland, and while we didn't meet any, we did see some of their traditions. While on the moose safari, we saw some pieces of cloth attatched to poles on the side of the road - the Sami people attatch them there as a way to mark where the reindeer are. Also, the people who went on the dogsled ride (dogsledding is a part of Sami culture) got to eat lunch Sami-style in a tent.

The sami's often put a bell on some Reindeers in a herd. So you easily know if they belong to someone or if they're just wild!
So if you see a Reindeer who hasn't got a bell it might be a wild. But a better way is to look on their sizes, often "wilds" are larger and quite reserved. They usually runs away as soon as they have seen you.

Well I can't say that I think is guy was wierd.
But it's a little odd to see a sign that says: "I live here" (Här Bor Jag) in the middle of nowhere, 40 km without a single house on the road to Esrange.
Well....I guess I'm not the only one who has taken a picture of that sign....

On the 13:th of December we celubrate the St Lucia in every school and news paper they have elections for the choise of witch girl that will become the Lucia dressed in white and a crown of light candles on hear head the runner ups becomes hear court most of the time a girl with long blond hair winns so the brunette`s are a bit frustrated never becoming
Lucia(the original St Lucia where from Syracusa,Sicilia, Italia and most certand a brunette)it is a verry beutiful cermony that you must see if you are in any place of Sweden at that time of the year.The oficial Swedish Lucia can also bee seen in Syracusa and for example in The Swedish Seaman Church in New York (last year they holde a cermony for ex Mayor Gueliani at the City Hall.

Ráidu

December - January 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
February - April 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM and 3:00 - 6:30 PM
Assembly outside the Adventure Center.

Visit Saami reindeer-herders Nils-Torbjörn Nutti and Carina Pingi at their reindeer corral and learn about everyday Saami life. At Kyrkudden in Jukkasjärvi is it time for a ride with reindeer sled, and after this will we continue with snowmobiles to the corral at Sautusjohka. You will be able to participate in their daily work, and share a traditional Saami meal of light-smoked reindeer steak 'suovas', coffee and flat bread 'gáhku'.

Price: 950 SEK/person. Minimum 2 people