8 Facts About Sámi Reindeer Herders

The Sámi people of the Arctic have a timeless bond with reindeer. Not just as a source of food or clothing, but as the heart of their identity. For centuries, reindeer herding has shaped their rhythm of life, traditions, and worldview. The reindeer give them meat, hides, antlers and valuable materials for tools and clothes; they also guide seasonal migrations and connect them deeply with the land. But above all, it’s a relation built on respect and symbiosis: the Sámi take care of the reindeer,