Lavvu
Lavvu (or
Historical definition
There are several historical references that describe the lavvu structure used by the Sami. These structures have the following in common:[1][2][3][4][5]
- The lavvu is supported by three or more evenly spaced forked or notched poles that form a tripod.
- There are upwards of ten or more unsecured straight poles that are laid up against the tripod and which give form to the structure.
- The lavvu does not need any stakes, guy-wire or ropes to provide shape or stability to the structure.
- The shape and volume of the lavvu is determined by the size and quantity of the poles that are used for the structure.
- There is no center pole needed to support this structure.
No historical record has come to light that describes the Sami using a single-pole structure claimed to be a lavvu, or any other Scandinavian variant name for the structure. The definition and description of this structure has been fairly consistent since the 17th century and possibly many centuries earlier.
The goahti, also used by the Sami, has a different pole configuration. While trees suitable to make lavvu poles are quite easy to find and often left at the site for later use, the four curved poles of the goahti have to be carried.
Traditional and modern lavvu
The traditional lavvu consists of two types of wooden poles: 1) three or more forked poles and; 2) several straight poles. The forked poles have a two-stem fork at the top end. These three poles are interlocked so that they form a tripod. Upon this assembly of the forked poles, the straight poles are laid in a circular fashion. Reindeer hides were used as a cover until the mid-19th century when large amounts of inexpensive manufactured British textiles were made available to the Sami.
The traditional lavvus are still in use, but for ease of transportation modern designs have replaced the wooden poles with
Very large lavvus also exist with enough room for dozens of people. These are typically used for large families.
Symbolism
The lavvu has been – and still is – a strong symbol for the Sami as a cultural haven. The lavvu played a prominent role in two events during the 20th century as more than just a shelter. The first was at the end of World War II during the winter of 1944/45 when the German troops retreated westward across northern Norway, burning most of the housing in Finnmark and eastern Troms counties before the Russian Red Army. Because of this destruction, many Sami lived in lavvus for many years afterward because of the lack of housing and unemployment from this period.[6] Some of these Sami are still alive today who were born in these lavvus and have fond memories of them.[7]
The second event was when the lavvu was used during the
The strong symbolism of the lavvu has also been shown in its pictorial form as the coat-of-arms for the municipality of
Using a lavvu
Inside the living quarters of the lavvu, there is a fireplace in the middle used for heating and to keep
Traditionally, there was a smaller door in the back of the lavvu, opposite the front door, called the bear door. This was used for ceremonial purposes, such as removing the dead (not appropriate out of the front door) and similar functions.[12] Few lavvus today have this door for such purposes.
Other tent designs similar to lavvu
- Tipi - The Native American tipi is visually similar to the lavvu but has a different cut to the fabric and a slightly different pole structure and placement.
- Chum (tent) - The peoples of northern Ural, northern Siberia and the Tyvan Todzhans of southern Siberia have a tent structure that is similar in design and often much larger than the lavvu. It is still in use by these people as a year-round shelter.
- Goahti (Norwegian: gamme, Finnish: kota, Swedish: kåta) - The goahti is often confused with a lavvu, although it has a different pole structure, is more elongated and is typically lower to the ground. In the first photo above, the tent in the background is a lavvu, while the tent in the foreground is a goahti.
- Kohte, a traditional German scouting tent derived from the Lavvu, but is usually black.
See also
- Sami people
References
- ^ Schefferus, Johannes. History of Lappland (English trans. Lapponia), 1674, p.80-86
- ^ Manker, Ernst and Vorren, Ørnulv. Lapp Life and Customs: A Survey., Trans. Kathleen McFarlane, Oxford University Press London, 1962, p.42-46
- ^ Muus, Nathan. "Building a Lavvu", Bulletin of Primitive Technology, Fall, 1997, No.14. p.21-22
- ^ Manker, Ernst. People of Eight Seasons, Crescent Books, New York, 1963, p.80-81
- ^ Eidheim, Harald. "Ethno-Political Development among the Sami after World War II", Sami Culture in a New Era: The Norwegian Sami Experience, Gaski, H. ed. (1997) p.49
- ^ Manker, Ernst and Vorren, Ørnulv. Lapp Life and Customs: A Survey., Trans. Kathleen McFarlane, Oxford University Press London, 1962, p.154
- ^ Kitti, Anja. (Sami Elder; former Chair, Sami Siida of North America, Toronto, Canada), interview. July, 1995/Nov., 2007.
- ^ Somby, Ande. http://somban.com/nealg06.html Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11/5/2007
- ^ Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Ville bruke soldater i Alta-aksjon; "Ville bruke soldater i Alta-aksjon - Innenriks - NRK Nyheter". Archived from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2008-02-22. Retrieved: 11/7/2007
- ^ Eidheim, Harald. "Ethno-Political Development among the Sami after World War II", Sami Culture in a New Era: The Norwegian Sami Experience, Gaski, H. ed. (1997) p.49
- ^ Somby, Ande. http://somban.com/nealg09.html Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11/5/2007
- ^ Schibe, Tom (North American Sami Elder and reindeer owner; Sami Siida of North America, Milltown, WI, USA), interview. July, 2006.
External links
- Emmons, Rebecca (Risten), An Investigation of Sami Building Structures. December 4, 2004, http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/dieda/anthro/architecture.htm Retrieved 11/6/2007.
- More information about a Lavvu. In Norwegian with illustrations. Retrieved 5/16/2009