Lavvu

household object · Norway · Sami

The conical tent of the Sámi people, raised on a tripod of poles and covered with reindeer hide or, in modern times, canvas. The lavvu is light enough to carry on a sledge or a reindeer and quick to pitch on the open tundra, with the hearth at the center and smoke escaping through the crown. It has been the seasonal home of reindeer-herding families for centuries and is still raised at festivals. The layout of the lavvu follows a strict order, with the back of the tent and the space opposite the door kept sacred and reserved, and the family's places arranged around the fire by rank and custom.

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