Tjakttja: Skábma, the time of darkness, is approaching. The days grow shorter and deciduous trees lose their leaves
Tjakttja: Perch, caught by Sami herders in a small creek, roasts by the fire
Tjakttja
Autumn. The twinkling days of summer have retreated
for another year, and green vegetation fades to yellow
and brown. Frost greets the herders in the mornings
and now descends the time of darkness, skábma. The
herds have moved to the lower mountain regions and
vegetation is scarce: the reindeer eat mostly roots and
ground lichen. The herders leave the reindeer alone for
the rut, and pass the time fishing in the small, deep
rivers and lakes. They tell stories of mystery and life
to help them through the darkness. The rut lasts two
to three weeks, and in this time the reindeer bulls use
most of their fat stores for this critical function. This is
the season of desire.
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