Each year thousands flock to Swedish Lapland in early February to revel in the history of one of the world’s oldest nomadic cultures. The annual event celebrates the lives and traditions of the Sámi people, who are native to the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.
Photo: Jokkmokks Marknad
The Sámi lifestyle centered on reindeer husbandry, as well as fishing and hunting. The village of Jokkmokk has been a key trading post for many Sámi groups who herd reindeer between Sweden in the winter and Norway in the summer.
The festival officially begins on the first Thursday of each February, but visitors usually arrive a few days earlier for the “Historic Market,” a look back to the Middle Ages with handcrafted balms, medicinal salves, dried mushrooms, jams, fur clothing and carvings for sale. Festival goers feast on traditional reindeer and moose meat, fish, root vegetables, herbs, berries and other local foods, prepared over open flames.
There is a host of activities to enjoy while the festival is in full swing, such as folk dancing, traditional jojking (similar to yodeling), dog sledding or reindeer racing.
Learn more online at https://jokkmokksmarknad.se/program