Bealljegoahtie – Arch barrier construction

Bealljegoahtie (arch barrier construction) is a very old Sami form of housing that is used in most parts of Sápmi. The word «beallji» means «ear» in Northern Sami but is used in this context for the curved birch logs in the construction that make the dwelling stable, solid and strong. 

Bealljit (arch rafters) are made from birch trees that have grown in steep terrain, for example on steep slopes by the river bank or water’s edge, and acquired a natural arch closest to the root. The arch has been formed when the tree is stretching towards the light as it grows. This bow of the birch is very strong and it perfect for the arch in the bealljegoahtie. 

This distinctive Sami form of construction is either used in a mobile tent/lávvu or in a turf hut/ gamme. 

As a lávvu, bealljegoahtie is covered with a tent cloth in summer or a rátnu (wool cover) in winter. A bealljegoahtie with turf was a common permanent Sami form of housing in our region. It was covered with turf and bark over the construction of bealljit and birch roof trusses. All the building material for a bealljegoahtie was taken out locally. This was a flexible form of housing, and could be used as a dwelling, barn hut, smoking hut, boathouse or well house.