Knowra Reindeer herding Reindeer herding Reindeer herding is the practice of raising and managing domesticated reindeer. In northern Fennoscandia, it is closely associated with Sámi livelihoods, land use, and cultural life.
Transhumance : The seasonal movement of livestock between different grazing areas. Reindeer herding follows seasonal routes between pastures and is one form of mobile pastoralism.
Sámi people : An Indigenous people whose traditional homeland, Sápmi, spans northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Sámi communities have long practiced reindeer herding, though not all Sámi herd reindeer.
Sámi siida : A Sámi community and cooperative institution historically associated with shared land use and herding. Siida organization coordinates cooperation and responsibilities among herding households.
Reindeer meat : Meat from reindeer, consumed in northern Europe and other regions. Meat production is a major economic use of reindeer herds.
Pasture fragmentation : The division of grazing habitat into separated areas by barriers or land uses. Roads, mines, forestry, and development can disrupt access between seasonal pastures.
Reindeer migration : The recurring movement of reindeer between seasonal ranges. Herders plan movement around the animals’ seasonal migration and access to forage.
Sápmi : The traditional homeland of the Sámi people in northern Europe. The practice developed across this region, whose political borders cross seasonal grazing areas.
Sámi Parliament of Norway : The elected representative body for Sámi people in Norway. It addresses policies affecting Sámi culture, land rights, and reindeer husbandry.
Reindeer products : Goods made from reindeer meat, hides, antlers, and other materials. Herding can supply food, clothing materials, and craft resources.
Climate change in the Arctic : The rapid, far-reaching changes in climate across the Arctic region. Unpredictable snow and ice conditions can make forage harder for reindeer to reach.
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