The traditional games and toys of Saami children came from nature. Nature was the centre of life: in their beliefs, work and everyday life. Saami got their daily livelihood from nature; there they found both food and clothing. Children found ideas and inspirations for their games from nature and also materials for their toys. They made toys out of the different bones of birds and other animals and they used fish-scales as well. Staalo is warming up by the fire (a game palyed outside )

Photo: Minna Saastamoinen.

Photo: Minna Saastamoinen.

One part of the games related to Saami mythology, such as "Staalogames". Games fit very closely into different seasons. Children imitated dramatic phenomena of nature (such as spring-flood ) in their games.

The Saami author Asta Balto emphasises in her book Sámi mánáid bajasgeassin that games were important means for socialising children and what part adults played in the process and its meaning. The original nations have realized the the educational importance of games. Throug games children learn different skills that are needed, when they grow up. Parents participated by making toys for children.
	Photo: Arja Hartikainen / SIIDA. Silvermuseet, Arjeplog, Ruotsi.

Anta Pirak from Jokkmokk recalls in her book Jåhttee saamee viessoom the games and toys of her own childhood. Particular fun was to play outside in a play-hut. First of all it was important to build a hut where only children could fit in. They borrowed dishes and some food from their mother. In their games one child was father, other was mother and the third one was a hired hand. And they naturally needed a dog as well. Mother stayed in a hut and ate there and father with his helping hand went out to collect reindeer. They marked reindeer-calves, milked female reindeer and castrated male reindeer. It represented the everyday-life of Reindeer-Lapps.

Try to guess what this could be? a) reindeer-horn b) tailbone c) hoof-bone

For what reason was it used? a) as a racket, b) as a piece , c) as a doll

The games and toys of Saami children taught them about work. What kind of toys or games have taught you about adult work?

Collected: Jaana Kemppainen