- Destinations
- Northern Sweden
- Swedish Lapland
- Sámi handicraft
Sámi handicraft
The Sámi people are Sweden’s indigenous population. With a rich history spanning over 10,000 years, they have preserved unique traditions – including their exquisite handicraft – that reflect deep ties to nature and their ancestral heritage.
Sámi handicraft, known as ‘slöjd’, is renowned for its beauty, quality and use of natural materials. These handmade items make exceptional gifts, each piece reflecting centuries of tradition and craftsmanship.
Sámi slöjd is divided into two categories: hard and soft crafts. Hard crafts, traditionally made by men, include elaborately engraved items like reindeer horn knives and wooden cups. Soft crafts, often created by women, feature intricately designed tin-wire bracelets, jewellery, clothing, and woven bags or baskets made from birch roots – a skill known as ‘root handicraft’.
Where to find Sámi crafts
Authentic Sámi arts and crafts can be found throughout the towns and villages of Swedish Lapland. In Kiruna, the region's largest city, the Carl Wennberg shop has specialised in Sámi crafts since 1907.
Vilhelmina, a charming northern town, is home to Risfjells Sameslöjd, an award-winning boutique by Doris and Sven-Åke Risfjell. Their online store offers a wide range of handcrafted products, from wooden mugs to patterned pillows – all made with over 40 years of expertise.
One of the best opportunities to buy Sámi crafts is at the Jokkmokk winter market, held every February. With a history spanning 400 years, this vibrant event offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Sámi culture and purchase directly from local artisans.
If you're visiting the famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, don’t miss their shop for a selection of Sámi handicrafts. And if your travels take you to Stockholm, check out Svensk Hemslöjd, a store that stocks beautiful Sámi products in the heart of Sweden's capital.
