Isogaisa Sami Experience ~ Narvik Norway

 We’ve arrived in Narvik, Norway aboard the Viking Venus. The day has been bright and rather temperate for a winter month. We managed to get up into the low 40’s. Our excursion this afternoon was exploring the beautiful terrain of this area while traveling to our destination….Isogaisa Sami Experience.

Snowy mountains flanked us on both sides as we traveled through the countryside. Many waterways were present that glistened in the distance with ice shimmering. 

Our host family took us to their lavvu which looks like a huge teepee. Inside a fired burned in the center and we all sat around the fire in chairs lined with reindeer hides. The Shaman and his wife offered us tea, coffee, and biscuits. Once everyone was settled, he began to share information about his culture. Later they shared a salmon wrap.

Their language is quite extensive and I learned they do not have a word for war. I seem to recall him saying they have nearly 1000 combinations of words to describe snow and ice. And pronoun usage is so much more complicated than ours. There are also several different dialects and Sami’s who live in other areas don’t always understand each other. However, they do recognize the Sami language. Norway at one time outlawed the speaking of the Sami language. They’ve tried to retain it and teach it to their children but it’s been difficult. They speak Norwegian mostly with some Sami and English.

The Shaman took us through a very special ceremony where we held this small piece of dried mushroom and while he beat on a drum chanted in Sami language and encouraged us all to think about our forefathers and mothers. It’s a way of communicating with them and there was a real sense of peace for me. At the end, we threw the mushroom into the fire pit and drank this special drink they make. 

Of course one of the special moments for me was the adorable male Husky who sat so patiently in the corner by the family. I don’t think he feels comfortable around crowds. He was already 7 months old and was a very large dog. They are also raising huskies for sled rides. 

All in all, it was a lovely afternoon and a learning experience for me. Their youngest daughter goes to a Montessori school which I found interesting. They have an older boy who wasn’t home at the time.

Tomorrow we arrive in Alta for two nights. We’re hopeful to catch some Northern Lights! I can’t guarantee I’ll get any good pictures. It’s an art. I have a new app that I’ll try. Tomorrow morning we have another lecture on cell phones and how to take Northern Lights photos. I hope to get it sorted out then.

Happy travels until next time…

~ Cindy

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