Places to See Before You Die: Reindeer Racing in Kautokeino, Norway

While reindeer seems like a very Christmassy theme to most, this is an event that takes place in Easter in Kautokeino. Kautokeino is a little Sami town in the North of Norway which holds Reindeer Racing Championships every Easter. I lived in these regions, so I might take a few things for granted. I am by no means an expert in Sami culture, but growing up in Northern Norway, you are clearly more exposed and knowledgeable about this culture than someone who has never visited the arctic.

 The Sami are a nomadic people living in the arctic in the north of Norway, Sweden and Finland. They are indigenous to Scandinavia and speak a Uralic language. Their main livelihood is reindeer-herding, something that is legally protected and reserved only for them in many regions in the Nordics. They have very distinct and beautiful, brightly colored traditional dress and live in a

temporary tent-like dwelling called a Lavvo. It is truly a unique cultural experience, which will for a brief moment include you in the life of a remarkable people.

You might be fooled by the concept of Easter, but in this area of our globe, there is plenty of frost and snow still at this time, so bring your winter jacket, scarves and gloves. The race takes place in the center of the town, collecting a nice little gathering of people. You can also visit a Lavvo and taste traditional Sami food. It might surprise you, but much of this food is often very simple and reindeer-based.

The race is in a small open plain in the center. The participants are behind the reindeer, either on skis or on a sled, holding reins to "control" the reindeer. Most of these won't make it to the finish line. Most of the time the reindeer does as it wants and people either fall on their butts before making it very far, or the reindeer runs of in a different direction. For the reindeer that chose to follow their own path, people on snowmobiles follow and track down participants. However, rumor has it many people get lost every year, some never to be seen again...