For those who have been, live there or aspire to go there, Norway is most definitely one of the great shining jewels of Europe. My ancestry does not come from there but of my husband’s and our baby. I wanted to share with all you readers the fjord our family originates from, Røssvatnet the Southern Sami fjord that is both mysterious but yet so grand as it currently is the 3rd largest lake in Norway.
Not far from this treasure trove of ecology and beauty lies the town of Hattfjelldal. It is here that the Southern Sami language is seriously endangered and like other Sami languages could face extinction. Since the Stone Age this town has thrived and survived making an industry of fish and wood. It is here that you can find pine, birch and spruce. Another special attraction of this area is Børgefjell National Park. For those who love hiking, this would be perfect to take advantage of the peaks and views. Also for the animal lovers you can seethe rare Arctic fox, although in terms of numbers the wolverine is the most common of the large predators. Both lynx and bear are also found here. The most common small predators are the red fox, the snow weasel, the marten, and the stoat. It is also possible to catch the occasional glimpse of an otter.
All of Børgefjell is used for domestic reindeer grazing. The western, eastern, and southern parts of the national park are mainly used as grazing areas in the summer, while the northern areas are used for grazing all year round. Furthest east there are also reindeer coming in from Sweden.
The Sami contribution to this land is vast in history. They controlled the land in Børgefjell right up until the beginning of the twentieth century. They have kept reindeer in the area for at least 500 years. Sami cultural monuments in the form of settlements and hunting stations can be found both inside the national park and in the border areas around it. The first farms in the area appeared at the end of the 1700s and beginning of the 1800s, and Norwegian settlement increased from then onwards. The first farms were established when there was a shortage of land elsewhere.
If you are looking for new places and people to discover, Norway is full of delight and magic, that is only the beginning!
Sapientia et Probitas (Wisdom&Honesty) 