On the first weekend of February, in each year dating back to the 1600s, Sami traders gather at the Jokkmokk Market in Jokkmokk to trade their goods internationally. This year marked the 412th hosting of the annual market. Although I have yet to attend, its history fascinates me and I wanted to share it with you.
Trade with the Sami – A Historic Overview
The Sami are the indigenous people of the northern parts of the Nordic countries–Norway, Sweden, and Finland – as well as the Kola Peninsula of Russia, an area known as Sápmi. During the 13th, 14th and the 15th centuries, trade with the Sami people was abundant as traders came from all of Europe to buy furs and leather products from the Sami. However, trade soon became the exclusive right of the Birkarlar (designated traders)