NO_25224: The Sami People of Norway
>> Saturday, September 4, 2010 –
culture,
Norway,
Official Swap,
people. traditional costumes,
Scandinavia,
stamps and covers
In a few hours today, one of my best friends' baby girl will be welcomed to the Christian world.
The baptism rites will be held in a church in far, far Drammen, a beautiful city about 40kms away from the capital of Norway, Oslo. Months ago before the baby's birth, my friend sent out unique baby shower invitations to all her friends in Norway and abroad, that included me here in Phnom Penh. How I wish I was there, and even wishing more today to witness the baptism and share in the joyous celebration. But, as fate would have it, I can only see them via webcam later today. That's better than nothing at all.
To mark this important milestone and in celebration of her roots (baby is half Filipina-half Norwegian), I am featuring this postcard from Norway sent to me by wonderful woman named Britt:
One of my favourite postcard themes - traditional costumes. According to Britt, gákti is the traditional costume of the Sami people, also known as the reindeer people. Don't you just love the colours and the patterns of the fabric? The top usually has a high collar, with embroidered pewter or silver details. One can tell the whether a person is married or single, or where he/she is from just by looking at the colours, patterns, and jewelry of the wearer. Also, there are different gákti for men and women; the men's gákti have a shorter "skirt" than women's. Traditionally, gáktis are made from reindeer leather but nowadays it is more common to use cotton, wool, or silk.
According to the Wiki, the Sami people are one of the indigenous people of the northern Europe inhabiting Sapmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. The Sami people's best known livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer-herding.
Okay, let's go the stamp:
It's a single stamp issued on June 2010 commemorating the Molde Jazz Festival.
















