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Preparing for the Reindeer Caravan

19 comments

Lars Johannes and others of Reindeer Caravan - Photography by Lola AkinmadeSami family getting ready - Photography by Lola AkinmadeReindeer Caravan - Photography by Lola AkinmadePer Kuhmunen - Reindeer Caravan - Photography by Lola Akinmade

Every year during the first week of February, local Sámi elder, Per Kuhmunen, leads his reindeer caravan through the narrow makeshift alleys of the 400+ year old Jokkmokk market, the largest traditional Sámi festival in the world.

Pulling his reindeer and grandchildren along on wooden sleds using his snowmobile, the caravan stops next to the old Sámi church where Per parks. The family then take off their winter coats and change into a few last-minute accessories before continuing on foot towards the market.

Lola Åkerström - Photo

February 7, 2011

  • http://www.TravelingGreener.com Sonya

    Your photography is so vivid and stunning, Lola!

    • http://twitter.com/LolaAkinmade Lola Akinmade

      Thanks Sonya!

  • http://twitter.com/JustTravelous Yvonne

    wow. Lola I love your pics!!

  • Writingjulie

    I’m really enjoying your Swedish work, Lola. I’m learning quite a bit through your photos and posts.

    • http://twitter.com/LolaAkinmade Lola Akinmade

      Thanks Julie!

  • http://www.sophiesworld.net Sophie

    Love these shots, Lola. The mum helping the little boy with his kofte, the man adjusting his hat… – great snapshots

    • http://twitter.com/LolaAkinmade Lola Akinmade

      Tack Sophie! My challenge will be showing more ground-level, behind the scenes type photography

  • Candace

    Lola–these shots are stunning! I heard a couple of weeks ago that you’re going to be at TBU in Manchester–that definitely made me that much more excited to go :) Thanks for the beautiful images.

    • http://twitter.com/LolaAkinmade Lola Akinmade

      Yay Candace! Great to hear from you and thanks so much! Looking forward to seeing you again at TBU.

  • http://www.nancydbrown.com NancydBrown

    Lola,
    I loved meeting this Sami couple in northern Norway. If you want to include my YouTube video of their unique singing, you are welcome to use. Search Sami Culture Northern Norway on my YouTube Channel or this link:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwo-s-dKYQI

    • http://twitter.com/LolaAkinmade Lola Akinmade

      Thanks for including the link Nancy!

  • Esohe

    Awesome photograohs Lola! Totally inspiring:)

  • http://www.muchissaidinjest.com Gabriel

    Amazing photos. Thanks

  • http://Travelogged.com Travelogged

    I’m seriously in love with these colorful outfits and reindeer. These photos are amazing!

  • http://twitter.com/Ayngelina Ayngelina

    I love the vibrance against the stark white climate, quite beautiful.

  • http://blogs.sweden.se/students/ Ben Mack

    @Carl Rylander: Good point! It’s always polite to learn ay least the basics of a language before you go somewhere. And I think it’s even easier when you’re in a country where everyone speaks the language you’re trying to learn. If I really wanted to learn Portuguese I’d go to Portugal, for example.

  • Monica-USA

    It will  be sad if Sweden looses her native language, it is such  a  beautiful language  it is  like they are singing when they are speaking.

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