Laatutarkkailun

Laatutarkkailu is a traditional Sami reindeer herding practice in Northern Finland and other parts of Scandinavia. The term is derived from the Finnish language and roughly translates to "saddle herding" or "saddle driving," referring to the specific method of guiding reindeer while seated on a small platform or gimmeli attached to the animal's back.

Reindeer have been an integral part of Sami culture and economy for centuries, serving as a primary source of food, clothing, and other essential resources. However, Laatutarkkailu presents a unique approach to managing these animals. It involves herding the reindeer while they are saddled, allowing for a degree of control and maneuverability.

Throughout Finland's northern and northern-central regions, Laatutarkkailu is practiced for several purposes. Firstly, it serves as a means to herd reindeer over long distances, which facilitates communal pasture management and travel between pastures. Secondly, it enables the monitoring and care of reindeer, which are vital to the Sami people's livelihood.

Laatutarkkailu is also an essential part of Sami cultural preservation and craftsmanship. Skilled herders develop expertise through generations of experience, learning and passing on various aspects of Laatutarkkailu. Herders attend to the reindeer's welfare, perform necessary tasks such as branding and separating the animals, and engage in a physical herding style that fosters the animals' health and adaptation.

Present-day herding often employs motorized assistance, including vehicles and aerial surveillance for management. Laatutarkkailu preserves the legacy of traditional reindeer herding methods while reflecting contemporary adaptations within Sami reindeer herding practices.