Get to know
the Norwegian reindeer
The reindeer have a very special place in Norway's history.
...the reason why we're here!
Reindeer played a large part in allowing people to settle in the Nordic regions, even in the harsh Arctic areas, thousands of years ago.
And they're still an important part of daily life for many, especially the Sami people.
Reindeer were originally hunted, but over time people started practising reindeer husbandry, especially in Northern Norway.
This is how more than 3,000 Sami people currently make a living. In order to pursue reindeer husbandry in Sami areas, you must have Sami ancestors.
The great migration
The herded reindeer are moved between winter and summer pastures.
If you're eager for a strenuous adventure, it's possible to join the spring migration, where Sami herders move their reindeer to the coast, for calving and new grazing areas.
8 seasons
The Sami culture has a whopping eight seasons instead of four! These are closely connected to reindeer herding and the migration.
In addition to spring, summer, autumn and winter, you'll find autumn-winter, spring-winter, spring-summer and autumn-summer.
Enjoy the historical ride
Before things like snow scooters, reindeer sledding was a vital form of transport for areas like the Finnmark Plateau.
The sleds would be loaded up with both people and possessions, and the reindeer would pull them through thick snow and challenging terrain.
Nowadays you can try reindeer sledding for fun in regions like Northern Norway and Trøndelag! Imagine what it must have been like travelling over the Finnmark Plateau without modern technology.
Mad for moss!
Despite their size, reindeer actually have a pretty simple diet! During winter they dig under the snow and scour trees for reindeer moss (lichen).
Then during the summer, they have more varied options like herbs, grass, shrubs and fresh shoots. They can also eat mushrooms around autumn.
They can however be a bit naughty and wander off to snack on people's garden plants in the northern parts of Norway.
They're also not shy when it comes to wandering along or across main roads, so be sure to drive carefully in areas that are known to have reindeer.
Made for the outdoors
Reindeer spend their entire life outdoors, and there's no need to worry about them getting cold during the harsh winters, as their winter coats have not one, but two layers!
They have a dense undercoat with short hairs, and a top layer with longer, hollow hairs that trap air in order to keep them warm and insulated.
Their hooves also adapt by being soft during the summer and hard and sharp during the winter, so they can dig through ice and heavy snow for food.
They are also great for swimming and their hollow layer of fur floats extremely well!
New antlers each year
Males have larger antlers that grow with a velvety coating, before it's stripped off leaving hard and sharp antlers, often used to battle for females. They are then shed after mating season.
During the winter months only females have antlers, which they use to chase away males after they have dug up food.
Both shed their antlers, but at different times.
Meet Norwegian reindeer
There are plenty of reindeer activities to take part in! Most of them can be found in Northern Norway, but it's also possible to meet reindeer in Trøndelag and Eastern Norway.
Usually the activities include feeding them, storytelling from Sami families, and a cosy meal by the fire in a traditional Sami tent, lavvo.
Tame vs. wild
Norway actually has both tame and wild reindeer (mostly in Southern Norway). The main difference between them is that the tame reindeer are controlled by humans, but despite this they're not completely tame.
Reindeer herders follow their reindeer and protect them from outside threats, but other than that, they try not to disturb them.
Wild reindeer can be found in the mountains in Southern Norway and they're not to be approached.
They are easily disturbed by humans, and if you should meet some on a hike, quietly sit down until they leave, or calmly walk away if they haven't noticed you yet.
A staple in Norwegian cuisine
The first settlers in Norway hunted for reindeer meat for survival, but throughout history it has become a staple in Norwegian cuisine. This exotic meat has a rich, gamey and complex flavour, due to the fact that reindeer roam freely and graze on natural pastures.
Reindeer meat can actually be a great source of omega-3 and omega-6, which is usually found in fish, according to a study by the University of Tromsø. It's also a very lean meat, like chicken.
It can be served in a myriad of ways from dried to roasted. Try a hearty dish in one of the many mountain lodges around the country, at a fine dining experience, or attempting to cook a recipe yourself?
We can recommend the traditional Sami dish bidus (pictured), reindeer stew, inside round, or tenderloin with all the trimmings.
Most of the animal is used, so you could even taste reindeer liver, tongue or heart. They can be prepared in several different ways, such as dried, smoked or pan fried.
Reindeer duodji
When it comes to reindeer, the Sami use almost the entire animal and not just the meat.
Traditional Sami handicrafts, duodji, often use reindeer skins, antlers and bones to create clothing, shoes and plenty of other crafts/tools.
“An important Sami tradition is to not let anything go to waste.”
Ole Mathis Sara Nedrejord
Sara Duodji
Sami drums were a part of the Sami religion, before the Christianization of Sami people. They were usually made from wood, antlers or bones, with a reindeer skin membrane decorated with symbols.
The drums had a revival around the 1970s, and were eventually used in Sami theatre productions, music, for rituals again, and to accompany joik, the folk music of the Sami.
Famous reindeer
Even if you haven't seen a reindeer in real life, the arctic animal is well known in popular culture! Starting with the beloved Father Christmas and his 9 reindeer.
As mentioned earlier, only female reindeer have antlers around Christmas time, so Rudolf must be a girl!
You may also have heard of Sven, Kristoff's reindeer best friend in the Frozen franchise. Norway was a big inspiration for Frozen and the opening song is actually Sami.
Frode Fjellheim, a musician and composer with Sami roots, wrote the song “The Great Thaw (Vuelie Reprise)” with Christophe Beck!
Learn more about the Sami
Sami culture isn't just about reindeer ...