01/06/2026
A Living Sámi Tradition. For many visitors, northern Sweden is often connected with winter, snow and the northern lights. But summer in Norrland is just as special to discover, with bright nights, open landscapes and traditions that are closely connected to the land.
These photos show reindeer calf marking, which usually takes place in Sweden from around midsummer until the end of July.
During this period, the reindeer are gathered in large enclosures. The reindeer herders identify the calves by watching which mother, or vaja, they follow. Each calf is then marked with the owner’s unique cut in the ear.
The exact timing can vary depending on the Sámi village, the weather and where the reindeer are grazing. It is an intense and important part of the reindeer herding year, and also a family tradition within Sámi culture.
Sápmi is the traditional homeland of the Sámi people, stretching across northern parts of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
For guests staying with us in the north, summer is a beautiful time to understand more of the region — through its nature, traditions, food, places and people.
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