Greetings! and other Guovdageaidnu / Kautokeino, Norway Local Custom Tips

People in Kautokeino are very friendly. Sitting down in the local pub, some might just walk over to you and say "Bures" before asking you about where you're from and becoming your best friend ever.

The word "Bures" sounds like the Russian name "Boris", but it actually means "Good day" and is said when shaking hands. The proper response is "Bures bures!"

"Good day" without shaking hands is "Buorre beaivvi."
"Good morning" is "Buorre iđit."
"Good evening" is "Buorre eahket."
"Good night." is "Buorre idja"

And finally, to quote a Sámi, "down south, people shake hands every time they meet. Strange people."

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Read more about the Sámi people and history on Wikipedia

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Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami

While the Norwegian national day might not be the most popular day in Sápmi (it is, after all, a symbol of their oppression), a number of people still celebrate the day in a half-Norwegian half-Sámi way. This means that you get to see a traditional Norwegian style parade from the Church, across the river, up the hinn, ending at Baktaharji, the sports centre. Here, you get traditional Sámi festivity food (Bidus) rather than the traditional Norwegian porridge. And while this day is celebrated in Norwegian areas largely with fine dresses, the Norwegian Bunad (traditional costume) and Norwegian flags, in Kautokeion, this is suplemented by Sámi Kofte (traditional costume, which is still worn every day by many Sámis), finely decorated Kofte (for celebrations) and people in jeans, shorts, and whatnot. So unlike "the south", it doesn't REALLY matter what you wear. And unlike Oslo, waving with a Sámi flag is also allowed.

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