Author: Heikkinen, Hannu

Source: Nomadic Peoples, Volume 10, Number 2, December 2006 , pp. 187-208(22)

Abstract:

Reindeer herding is an old and impressively adapted livelihood supporting a unique cultural continuity of both Sámi and Finnish populations in northern Finland. Through centuries both have adapted to the changing social, cultural and ecological circumstances. This article focuses on reindeer herders as active conformists who try to adapt personally and communally to changing environments. The main focus is on the adaptation models of full-time reindeer herders and especially on the rather new cultural trait that is called neo-entrepreneurship in this article as distinct from traditional reindeer husbandry as economic behaviour. The current discourse in Finland concerning reindeer herding has focused on resolving conflicts between herding and the other land use forms, such as forestry, tourism, nature conservation, hydropower and infrastructure development (Raitio 2001; Heikkinen 2003; Jokinen 2005). This article focuses instead on reindeer herders as active conformists who try to adapt personally and communally to changing economic, cultural and ecological environments.

Keywords: REINDEER HERDING; FINLAND; NEO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

DOI: 10.3167/np.2006.100211