About Sijti Jarnge Sami Culture Center
The idea of a cultural centre situated in Hattfjelldal was presented at a meeting held by The Nordic Sami Council in Utsjoki March 1972. The work with the centre started in the summer of 1982. In March 1984 the building was in such a state that it could be used.
- The Heart. The central room in the building is the Heart of the house. In this room people are to meet in both a formal and informal way.
- The hands. The workshops where one can work with both soft and hard material, metal, hide, skin, fur and leather. The Sámi handcraft is known for its quality and beautiful design. Through courses and practice the young Sámi people can learn the skills which are needed to pass this part of the cultural heritage on to new generations.
- The brain. The place where one shall gather, process and keep the knowledge about the Sámi people and their culture.
Here is also a library which also contains of modern media.
The model of the building is the Sámi gåetie which is a conical shaped building made of peat and turf laid on wooden sticks. In the central room is aernie – the fireplace placed in the middle of the room. The opening in the ceiling is made of glass and is meant to illustrate riehpene – where the smoke from the fire rises into the air.
The wall in the rear of an original south Sámi peat gåetie is called båassjoe. In ancient time food, kitchen utilities and also the Sámi drum was kept in båassjoe. The drum was used for religious ceremonies by the Sámi shaman, who was a religious leader and spokesman between the Sámi people and the spiritual world.
The Sámi yard which is built in connection to the building consists of a peat gåetie and a storehouse built in a traditional way.
In the reception Sámi handcraft, books, music and picture postcards are sold.
We wish you welcome to Sijti Jarnge!
