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Award: Documentary Award
Time: Summers in 2002, 2003 & 2004
Place: Lapland in north Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland)
Nationality: The Sami People(Scandinavia)
The Sami People inhabit in a vast area covering all land north of the Arctic Circle in Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.. The total number of Sami is estimated at 50-60,000, of which some 20,000 live in Sweden (my home country). Traditionally reindeer breeding is the main source of livelihood for the Sami, and is considered one of the three pillars on which Sami culture rests. The other two are the Sami language, where the jojk (similar to chanting) has a central position, and Sami duodji (handicrafts).
All persons in my photographs wear their own traditional Sami costume -kolt- and are portrayed in their own home environment. These photographs also include people with significant cultural skills: reindeer herders, handicraftsmen, famous traditional cooks, musicians and storytellers. Different Sami costumes from all over Sami (south, west, north, east) and displays examples of different handicraft techniques used in different areas: tin thread embroidery characteristic from the south, weaving from the central areas and jewelry from the north, and so on; while the young Sami generation mix new materials and colors with traditional techniques.
Their costumes are cherished and worn with pride at festive and special occasions (in some remote places like north Norway the Sami still wear their traditional costumes every day). They indicate important social information such as where a person originates from geographically as well as demographic details such as whether or not a person is married. |
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