Module 12:
Where can I learn about Vikings and the Sami?

The Vikings were from Norway and the rest of Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark). During the Viking Age they had a terrible reputation as plunderers, spreading terror in big parts of Europe and beyond.

They did however also have many positive traits. As skilled craftsmen of metal and wood, they made fantastic boats and beautiful jewellery and other artefacts, some of which have survived to this day. They were also excellent storytellers, and the Norse sagas continue to fascinate modern audiences.

Viking experiences
Here are a few places where you can learn more about the Vikings in Norway:

• The Viking ship museum in Oslo
• The Viking planet in Oslo
• Lofotr Viking museum in Lofoten
• Stiklestad National Culture Centre in Trøndelag
• The Viking Settlement at Avaldsnes in Haugesund, Fjord Norway
• The Viking museum Sagastad in Nordfjordeid, Fjord Norway
• Viking tours, available in Oslo and Stavanger, for example

The mighty Nidarosdomen Cathedral in Trondheim was built over the grave of the Viking king Olav Haraldsson (later St Olav), who died in battle in 1030 as he tried to unify the country under Christianity. This year marks the end of the Viking Age in Norway.

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Norway has an impressive number of explorers. The most famous is Roald Amundsen, who was the first person to reach both the North and the South Pole.

At the Fram Museum in Oslo, you can see the boat Amundsen used on many of his expeditions and learn more about Norwegian polar exploration in general.

A few other well-known Norwegian polar explorers are Thor Heyerdahl, Fridtjof Nansen, Børge Ousland and Erling Kagge.

Thor Heyerdahl and the Kon-Tiki expedition
In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific Ocean on a hand-built raft. The adventure has been the subject of several films, including the 2012 blockbuster Kon-Tiki. At the Kon-Tiki Museum, guests can experience original vessels and up-to-date exhibits on Heyerdahl’s expeditions.

Norway's indigenous Sami people still practise their traditional way of life in different parts of the country.

The Sami capital is Karasjok, with 3,000 inhabitants and almost 60,000 reindeer. The Sami parliament is situated here, as is the visitor centre Sapmi Culture Park where you can meet the Sami, try Sami food and listen to traditional “joik” music.

Sami-related activities

• Reindeer or dog sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Stay in a lavvu (Sami tent)
• Ridduriddu festival (July)
• Sapmi Culture Park
• Sami week in Tromsø (February)

Video: Sit back and relax