Page 151 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
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livelihood diversification in early modern sami households in northern sweden
lica sylvestris), alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) and common sor-
rel (Rumex acetosa) (Aronsson 2000; Fjellström 2000; Linnæus 2003, 91ff;
Lundius 1983, 11; Rautio 2014, 20ff; Rheen 1983, 21; Svanberg 2000). The-
se could be eaten immediately, on their own or mixed with milk, or sto-
red for later consumption. Some herbaceous plants were also collected for
medicinal purposes, such as tormentil (Potentilla erecta) for treating sto-
mach aches, garden angelica for colds, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) for
cuts and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) for toothaches (Fjellström 2003, 255;
Linnæus 2003, 95; Tunón, 2000). Tormentil root was also used to dye wool
red (Fjellström 2003, 260; Linnæus 2003, 59). In summer the Sami also
gathered berries such as cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus), lingonberri-
es (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) and bilberri-
es (Vaccinium myrtillus), which, if not eaten immediately, could be stewed
with fish or served with milk (Graan 1983, 42; Rheen 1983, 21). As with edi-
ble herbs, berries could be preserved and saved for later consumption. Ber-
ries were also a trade good and Lundius (1983, 19) describes how the Forest
Sami sell berries to the Mountain Sami in return for cheese, reindeer cal-
ves or reindeer meat.
Apart from edible plants and berries the Sami collected a particular
kind of sedge (Carex sp.) in summer or early autumn, which after drying
was used in shoes instead of socks as an insulating material (Fjellström
1985, 339ff; Linnæus 2003, 90ff). Lundius (1983, 30) describes that Forest
Sami gather and prepare shoe-hay that they sell to Mountain Sami in ex-
change for cheese, reindeer calves and reindeer meat.
Summer was also the most suitable time to dig for the fine roots of
Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betu-
la sp.) that were used to make ropes and baskets (Fjellström 2003, 272; Lin-
næus 2003, 141). Also the bark from birch, rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), grey
alder (Alnus incana) and sallow (Salix caprea), was collected early in sum-
mer when the sap was rising and the bark detached easily from the trees
(Fjellström 2003, 272; Linnæus 2003, 28ff). This bark was used to tan rein-
deer hides when making leather. Lastly, Scots pine bark was gathered to be
used as a food resource and as cases for storing sinews (Graan 1983, 43; Rau-
tio 2014, 25ff; Zackrisson et al. 2000).
To sum up, household needs were certainly one motive behind many
gathering activities. Even so, the commercial aspects are not negligible,
for example handcrafted products such as baskets and ropes, made from
gathered roots, were sold at market along with leather goods that had been
149
lica sylvestris), alpine blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) and common sor-
rel (Rumex acetosa) (Aronsson 2000; Fjellström 2000; Linnæus 2003, 91ff;
Lundius 1983, 11; Rautio 2014, 20ff; Rheen 1983, 21; Svanberg 2000). The-
se could be eaten immediately, on their own or mixed with milk, or sto-
red for later consumption. Some herbaceous plants were also collected for
medicinal purposes, such as tormentil (Potentilla erecta) for treating sto-
mach aches, garden angelica for colds, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) for
cuts and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) for toothaches (Fjellström 2003, 255;
Linnæus 2003, 95; Tunón, 2000). Tormentil root was also used to dye wool
red (Fjellström 2003, 260; Linnæus 2003, 59). In summer the Sami also
gathered berries such as cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus), lingonberri-
es (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) and bilberri-
es (Vaccinium myrtillus), which, if not eaten immediately, could be stewed
with fish or served with milk (Graan 1983, 42; Rheen 1983, 21). As with edi-
ble herbs, berries could be preserved and saved for later consumption. Ber-
ries were also a trade good and Lundius (1983, 19) describes how the Forest
Sami sell berries to the Mountain Sami in return for cheese, reindeer cal-
ves or reindeer meat.
Apart from edible plants and berries the Sami collected a particular
kind of sedge (Carex sp.) in summer or early autumn, which after drying
was used in shoes instead of socks as an insulating material (Fjellström
1985, 339ff; Linnæus 2003, 90ff). Lundius (1983, 30) describes that Forest
Sami gather and prepare shoe-hay that they sell to Mountain Sami in ex-
change for cheese, reindeer calves and reindeer meat.
Summer was also the most suitable time to dig for the fine roots of
Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and birch (Betu-
la sp.) that were used to make ropes and baskets (Fjellström 2003, 272; Lin-
næus 2003, 141). Also the bark from birch, rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), grey
alder (Alnus incana) and sallow (Salix caprea), was collected early in sum-
mer when the sap was rising and the bark detached easily from the trees
(Fjellström 2003, 272; Linnæus 2003, 28ff). This bark was used to tan rein-
deer hides when making leather. Lastly, Scots pine bark was gathered to be
used as a food resource and as cases for storing sinews (Graan 1983, 43; Rau-
tio 2014, 25ff; Zackrisson et al. 2000).
To sum up, household needs were certainly one motive behind many
gathering activities. Even so, the commercial aspects are not negligible,
for example handcrafted products such as baskets and ropes, made from
gathered roots, were sold at market along with leather goods that had been
149
