Nakkala
Social Interest
Näkkälä shows that in some place in Europe, there are still secluded areas where nature dictates the terms of their life. The documentary gives special insight in everyday life and special events of the quiet Sami people. Impressive images of the harsh arctic life are accompanied by tales of change and how modern Western culture is influencing their habits. Most notable are the changes in reindeer herding and of the increasing migration away from desolate villages because of the improved developments within education. Other international influences are motorization, monetary economy, and European legislation, but also the joys of smoking, beer and fine vodka.
Economic Interest
The film shows the changes within a culture that was almost entirely cut off from Western European life until the 1970s. The introduction of mechanization accompanied by a monetary system changed the reindeer trade and gave way to other socio-economic adjustments. The educational system improved and compulsory schooling was introduced. This led to an increasing migration to cities with better educational facilities and job opportunities, mostly by Sami women. This had a huge impact on the demographic outlook of Sami villages such as Näkkälä, who are increasingly downsized, unable to provide job opportunities or alternative trade industries aside from reindeer herding. This could eventually lead to the disappearance Sami culture and pressures them to integrate in alternative commercial enterprises.
Political Interest
The Sami are the indigenous people of Northern Europe. Lapland, a region in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, is for the most part subject to the legislation of the EU. The herders of Näkkälä, living in Finn Lapland, must abide by Animal Health & Welfare laws of the EU, forcing them to let their animals be slaughtered in a slaughter house, against the traditions of the Sami. The Lapps view the Western practices as inhumane, but they have to conform to Brussels way in order to keep their herds. The documentary Näkkälä shows the impact international regulations have on the everyday life of people, who have to change the ways of their forefathers, exchanging their traditions for Western concepts of animal welfare based on scientific knowledge.
Scenes
- Hans Ulrich and Isakki-Mattias
- Hans Ulrich Schwaar and Iisakki-Mattias Syvajarvi tell about their friendship and their peculiarities. Schwaar articulates the differences between the Sami culture and the Swiss.
- Nakkala, Herding and Off Road Vehicles
- In this scene a short history of the herding fields of Nakkala is told by Isakki-Mattias. He tells about his flock and that mosquitoes drive them to the marking meadow. By knowing the whims of the land the Sami were able to control these animals. The use of off road vehicles and the introduction of a money economy drastically changed the herding ways.
- Summer Marking
- The whole reindeer flock comes together on the marking plot where the ears of the newly born are marked in a specific way. All families have a personal marking technique. During the summer marking the amount of newly born are estimated as well as the size of the herd.
- Books and Education
- Hans Ulrich Schwaar writes books on Lappland and the Sami way of life. One of these books is about the village of Nakkala. Here there are only 36 inhabitants, mostly single men, due to the introduction of compulsory education for all children and the lack of labor opportunities.
- Different Attitudes
- This scene shows how the Sami herders live their lives at home after work. They are not very talkative and enjoy silence. It becomes clear that Hans Ulrich Schwaar does not agree with the smoking, drinking and ‘partying’ of Isakki-Mattias and his friends. He does, however, admire the idea that the Sami have of life: that life itself is most important, not principles or hobbies.
- Preserving Sami Traditions
- The Sami way of life is preserved by the herdsmen and by the Nakkala Reindeer Herders Association that includes young and educated men who wish to safeguard the old ways. Although these boys went to school, they still perceive the old people as the best counselors and teachers. The way they live in harmony with nature is unique.
- Antlers, Castration and Skinning
- The antlers of the male reindeers are removed and they are castrated. This is necessary because in this way the males cannot be aggressive and do not lose weight through fight. The antlers grow back every year. The castration is now preformed with an emasculator without anesthetics. In the old days this was done without tools and the herders used their teeth. In this scene the processes of antler-cutting, castration and skinning are shown.
- Relationships and Fishing
- Isakki-Mattias has had a relationship with Inga for 11 years. They see each other a couple of times per year, mostly during the fishing season. Inga lived with Isakki-Mattias for 1 year, but left because of Hans Ulrich. She now lives in a village nearby. In this scene it is remarkable to see how people can maintain such a long distance relationship, and how relationships are based on consent and acceptance.
- Winter Life
- When their entire world is covered in snow and darkness it becomes harder to keep warm and to be alone. When Isakki-Mattias is on a stake out with his herd he sometimes feels rather unpleasant when he has to be on the road for a couple of weeks. It is dangerous to be alone on the snowy plains where there is nobody to help you. Even though mobile phones are available, they often do not have a signal.
- Selling Reindeers
- During the separation of the reindeers everyone of the Nakkala village and their families are present. This is one of the few times when the whole herd is together in one place. In this scene the process of separation and selling is discussed.
- Discussing Change
- In this short scene the herders discuss the change that EU regulations have brought them. They feel that the EU regulations force them to torture their own animals. They also feel discriminated in these regulations for they do not have facilities for a slaughterhouse because of the remote location of their village. Animals may only be slaughtered for commercial purposes in a such a facility. Because of this they have to transport their deer in small trucks to be able to slaughter them.
- Ethnic Heritage
- The documentary ends with the reindeer races that are held during Easter. This concludes the story of Sami life. The people of Nakkala live for nature and their reindeers, even in their spare time. Historically the Sami were treated as outcasts and pestered. During the twentieth century their status changed and their self-worth increased. Hans Ulrich Schwaar believes that his books and this documentary give the Sami recognition of their cultural worth and he is proud to be part of the preservation of their ethnic heritage.
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