Goahti
The place
The goahti (Northern Sámi) refers to a traditional hut or tent of the Sámi people, distinct from the better-known lavvu. The goahti is longer, lower, and its poles do not meet at the top — the structure is supported by curved arches forming a wooden frame. Three variants coexist depending on the covering: canvas, birch-bark-and-turf (a semi-permanent version, better insulated and protected against extreme cold) or wooden planks. This traditional dwelling is emblematic of Sápmi, the Sámi cultural area spanning northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia's Kola Peninsula. Today, because the curved poles are cumbersome to transport, the lavvu is preferred as a portable shelter, but the goahti remains visible at camps and cultural reconstructions.
The setting
Traditional Sámi dwelling, found across Sápmi (northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, Kola Peninsula).
