Verddet

Good bonds of friendship have been crucial for life in the northern regions. A tradition that is still alive is verddet. A verddet relationship is a traditional and very significant friendship between permanent residents and nomadic Samis. The friendship is not based on money but is an exchange of services and goods.

The verddet relationship between resident and nomadic reindeer-herding Samis shows a mutual cooperation from which both parties benefit. Resident Samis owned reindeer in the cross-border reindeer herds, and participated in the work when the reindeer were on summer pasture on the Norwegian coast. In return, reindeer husbandry families received help with their goats through the winter, in the barn of their partner. Permanent residents also received reindeer products and help with the work in agriculture.

The ties between the Samis, who eventually became permanent residents, and the reindeer-herding nomads, have remained strong throughout the ages. In our region, kinship and family relationships are close, and they transcend national borders. Many Samis from Stuornjárgga were married or had their children baptized in Čohkiras (Jukkasjärvi), which helped strengthen relations.

The verddet relationship provided security and stability, and also opened up flexibility. If necessary, one could alternate between being a permanent resident and participating in reindeer herding nomadism. Verddet thus gave the Sami population more options and solutions in bad times. In the long run, friendship has proven to be most sustainable and is still a central core of Sami culture.