Chapter 5 - A brief description of the Sámi/Lapp country

A brief pause in 'The Adventures of Gammelnok' to explain where he spent the next many years of his life travelling with a Sámi tribe.

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The Sámi are the traditionally Sámi-speaking people inhabiting the region of Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. 

They migrate back and forth with the seasons, moving their gigantic herd of reindeers - sometimes in the thousands - across borders with no control, feeding them on grass, moss, lichen and whatever else is available. 

In the summer, the sun descends towards the horizon but for months never goes below, giving name to the phenomenon called the 'Midnight Sun'. 

In the winter months on the other hand, the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks on end leaving the land in a 'Polar Night' twilight, mornings and evenings before leaving the land in total darkness which lasts for many hours.

During a Polar Night it is not unusual to experience polar lights or northern lights.

The Sámi or Lapps are the inhabitants of these northern countries. They are related to the Finns, small of stature, they only reach a height of 4 to 5 feet, and they appear even smaller in consequence of the condition of their clothing, and because they do not use heels on their shoes. 

Their physical appearance vary from very European-looking with blond hair and blue eyes like Finns or Scandinavians, to almost indistinguishable from East Asians, indigenous Siberians, or Inuit. 

Their bodies are strong, hardy and very agile.

So, as we can deduce from all this, Gammelnok due to his small stature, rough appearance and temper would have fitted in very well with these people.