On the Path of the Skolt Saami Life 2
BOOKLET IN ENGLISH
Saaʹmi jieʹllempälggsest –
On the Path of Skolt Saami Life 2
July 6 – July 29, 2022
Kulttuuritila Kuulas, Ivalo
This three-part exhibition on Skolt Saami culture uses photographs and art to show the life of the indigenous Skolt Saami. The photography exhibition Faces of the People of Swan Lake takes us back to the pilgrimage of Saint Tryphon of Pechenga in Sevettijärvi and Neiden in 1982. The Tuõddri Peeʹrel — The Pearls of the Fjells shows us a broad cross-section of the traditional handicrafts and the everyday life of the Skolts, who have skillfully used what nature has provided them with. The third part of the exhibition Leäm jieʹllmen — I am alive highlights modern Skolt Saami art.
This new exhibition is a sequel to the first exhibition On the Path of Skolt Saami Life 1, which was on display last summer in this same place.
The artists whose work is on display in On the Path of Skolt Saami Life 2 are Pertti Hissa, Sámi Hustler, Heidi Gauriloff, Ville-Riiko Fofonoff, Tanja Sanila, Erja Wiltse, Tarja Sanila, Katariina Lumisalmi, Mari Gauriloff, Anja Sollas and Katja Sanila.
The exhibition has been organized by the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation and supported by the Saami Council, the Lappi Orthodox Parish and Inari Department of Culture.
Artwork
1 Reindeerless reindeer 2021
Mari Gauriloff
Paper clay
2–9 Faces of the People of Swan Lake
Pertti Hissa
Photographs
The photographs on display in the Faces of the People of Swan Lake exhibition take their viewers back four decades to the annual pilgrimage of Saint Tryphon of Pechenga to the Skolt villages of Sevettijärvi on the Finnish side of the border and Neiden on the Norwegian side. This pilgrimage with its blessing of the waters, which is so important to the Orthodox Skolt Saamis, was captured by photographer Pertti Hissa back in 1982. It was only 33 years earlier that the Skolt Saamis had been uprooted from the traditional places in and around Peäccam (Pechenga) and the eastern regions of the Kola Peninsula that they had lived in since time immemorial and resettled in Inari, in the villages of Sevettijärvi, Nellim, and Keväjärvi. Moreover, it had only been three years earlier that the Skolt Saamis had come together for the first time in Sevettijärvi to celebrate the resettlement.
The aftermath of the never-ending wars and the multiple evacuations from their homeland can be seen in the faces of the Skolt Saamis. These intense photographs have been taken close up. The deep lines on the faces of the elderly Skolt Saamis reveal to us a long and weary journey, of having to leave behind the places they were born, of farewells, and of an everlasting longing for home. At the same time, they also tell us of the joy at seeing one another again. For a short time, the pilgrimage has brought the Skolt Saamis together like before, comforting them, giving them a sense of security and community in the middle of their new and different everyday life.
The name of the exhibition, Faces of the People of Swan Lake, refers to the Suonikylä Skolt Saamis who had been resettled in Sevettijärvi, as they called themselves the People of Swan Lake. Before, every family had their own swan lake. The swan, the bringer of light, is a sacred bird to the Skolt Saamis.
The swan is also what made 80-year-old Pertti Hissa chose the job he did. Hissa, now retired, spent more than 30 years working in the travel industry and even taught the subject, too. His interest in nature and photographing was sparked by the 1950 book Laulujoutsen – Ultima Thulen lintu written by Yrjö Kokko, whose photos lent credibility to conservation efforts to protect the whooper swan, which was extremely endangered at the time. Inspired by Kokko and his nature photographs, Pertti Hissa picked up his camera to do the same.
Based on his experience in the travel industry, Hissa claims that the only significant cultural pull factors in Finland are the Saami and the Orthodox. Hissa got a chance to learn about Skolt Saami culture in 1982 when he was invited by Leo, the Metropolitan of Oulu at the time, to photograph the pilgrimage of Saint Tryphon of Pechenga and its celebrations in Sevettijärvi and Neiden. It has been 40 years since these images were captured. “That time no longer exists except for in photographs and the stories they tell. I hope you listen to their stories carefully,” states Pertti Hissa.
10 Kaissi-Miklai-Niina-Mä’rjj, 2019
Anja Sollas
Acrylic for canvas O / 50 cm
How can one understand misery where there is no name?
When I met Mari, I had no idea that she was more than a sparkling Savo girl. More than twenty years of friendship and many stages of life and I still didn’t understand what Mari’s heart tore. Then she found his Saaminess piece by piece and through many pains.
As Mar’s anniversary approached, we had drifted far apart. I wanted to understand Mari’s roots and her newly discovered yet fragile identity. In my art, I invited cats to take me to a world of opportunity, and so we traveled at night to the shores of Lake Sevettijärvi to discuss Saami. An inscription was born seven nights in Lake Sevettijärvi and this work.
Man needs roots.
Life requires action.
Relationships need care.
Reach out towards the loving hand.
Finding an identity, finding it piece by piece, and strengthening its roots is a lifelong task, especially for those whose roots have been severed without asking them and without their knowledge.
I am happy about my friend and the amazing journey she made towards the innermost part of the Saami people. My heart sank with pride when I saw her in a traditional outfit, asking could I. Yes, you can, it’s you.
My friend has found a way home.
Anja Sollas (b. 1963) is a Kuopio-based artist who often depicts an imaginative world of possibilities in her works through cat characters.
11 Šaamšiǩ, Skolt Saami Wife Headdress
Sámi Hustler
12 Tuärrmõš, Fight
Sámi Hustler
Sámi Hustler is a Saami artist whose work deal with the Skolt Saami language and culture, but also the discrimination they face. Working with mixed-media and photography, he speaks out about current topics, including mining and its impact on nature.
Inquiries about the artwork: saamihustle@gmail.com
13 Tuõddri Pee´rel, The Pearls of the Fjells -exhibition
Young Sami Art Event in Inari 2012: pupils of Sevettijärvi School
14 Flamingo
15 Kitten and cherry tree’s flowers
16 Abstract
17 Aurora Borealis
14–17
Katariina Lumisalmi
18 Veden maisema
Erja Wiltse
19 Kelo
Erja Wiltse
Inquiries about the artwork: erja.taskinen@icloud.com
20 The eye of gentleness 2021
Heidi Gauriloff
21 Tââ’v Nijdd, The Daughter of the North 2018
Heidi Gauriloff
Inquiries about the artwork: heidi.j.gauriloff@gmail.com
Tuõddri Peeʹrel, The Pearls of the Fjells -exhibition
Photographers: Tanja Sanila, Tarja Sanila, Katja Sanila
22 Sää’mmääccaǩ
The määccaǩ or sääʹm-määccaǩ, men’s coats made of broadcloth, have in recent decades become the signature piece for Skolt Saami men. The model has been adapted from the pullover coats of other Sámi people and is decorated with the type of beadwork the Skolt Saami’s are known for.
23 Skolt Saami women of many generations
The headcoverings of Skolt Saami women have been passed on from one generation to the next largely unchanged. Headwears indicates whether the woman wearing them has not yet been married, is married, or is a widow.
Young woman at left is wearing peeʹrvesǩ, headwear of unmarried girl. Peeʹrvesǩ is given to Skolt Saami maiden around the age of 15. She will wear her headwear until she marries.
The šaamšiǩ, married woman’s headwear is like a crown with its beautiful and skilled beadwork.
The Skolt Saami widow’s headwear (not pictured) is called po ́vdneǩ.
According to tradition, the headcoverings of Skolt Saami women must be covered with a scarf when they are outside of the home. Traditionally, bangs are tucked under the headcovering and the rest of the hair is braided into one or two plaits behind the head, depending on which headcovering is being worn.
24 Skolt Saami tool bags
Tool bags are made of reindeer leather with braided root at the lower part of the bag.
25 Jars with lids weaved of pine root
26 Peä´ssruučč
A container made of birch bark used, for example, for picking up berries.
27 Vuä ́ddzääpneǩ
Modern birch root jewellery, Saami brooch, made by traditional methods.
28 Šaamšiǩ
One of the most beautiful and impressive masterpieces of Skolt Saami handicraft is the headcovering worn by married Skolt Saami women, the šaamšiǩ.
29 Peʹsserpuäǥǥanj
Bead embroidered Skolt Saami woman’s belt.
30 Peʹsserlaukk, handbag with beadwork
Handbag made of tanned pike skin with bead embroidery.
31 Säämʹrään, Skolt Saami woven rug
Nasti Sverloff teaching how to prepare a traditional Skolt Saami woollen rug.
32 Trii ́viǩ
Skolt Saami woman’s winter headgear with fox fur trimming and bead embroidery.
33–40 Faces of the People of Swan Lake
Pertti Hissa
Photographs
Digital art
Big screen
Ville-Riiko Fofonoff
Photographs
Small screen
Jeälas sääʹmǩiõll! Hurrah Skolt Saami Language!
-drawing competitions winners, aged 5-9 years