THE ORIGINAL SÁMI CRAFTS - “GÁPMAGAT”
Handcrafted by: Anne Grethe Kemi Buljo
DUODJI: SÁMI CRAFTSMANSHIP & TRADITIONS
Inspired by Sámi "gápmagat", The GÁBA Boot tap into deep-rooted indigenous traditions of Sámi crafts. Gápmagat are soft boots made with reindeer legskin, and worn by Sámis. For many Sámi reindeer herders, "gápmagat" remains a winter essential. Historically, herding they used skis to navigate, with the distinctive "gápmagat" tip anchoring the skis.
"Bellinger", the skin from the reindeer's legs, was traditionally attached under the ski, acting much like today's "Ski feller" or "ski skins", to provide grip in the snow and ensure a good kick-off.
THE GÁBA BOOT: A SYMBOL OF HERITAGE
Every GÁBA Boot is a unique piece of Sámi cultural heritage, echoing stories of Sámi crafts, tradition and environment with every step. Care for your GÁBA Boot, let them narrate their tales, and be part of a timeless journey through Sámi landscapes and craftsmanship.
REIDEER FUR: A CAMOUFLAGE CLOAK
The reindeer fur, varying from light grey to dark brown, acts as a natural camouflage against the rocky landscapes. This fur, with its unique attributes, helps the reindeer when crossing water bodies and also finds its use in crafting various Sámi artifacts like the Gápmagat and mittens. Each change in color, texture, and pattern of the fur is a whisper from nature, reflecting the seasons and the environment it traverses.
Let The GÁBA Boot be your companion in exploring the elegant and resilient spirit of Sámi traditional knowledge and innovation.
THE CRAFTING PROCESS
Creating Gápmagat demands precision, with selection of leather starting right from the mountain. Each skin, based on its quality, is chosen for either everyday or festive boots. The meticulous process involves skin treatment with salt and Goat willow bark scrapping away fat and tendons to achieve the desired texture, strength, and flexibility before sewing begins. This laborious traditional knowledge, an art in itself, has been passed down through generations, preserving the Sámi culture and crafts.
Anne Grethe Kemi Buljo was born in 1939 in Kautokeino, where she lovingly raised ten children and dedicated her entire life to the art of reindeer herding. From a very young age, she honed her skill in duodji, sami handcraft, and she masterfully created traditional treasures such as footwear and mittens which sustained her family through the unforgiving cold of the tundra. In the tradition of many Sami households she managed their home and cared for the children while her husband tended to the reindeer, often traversing weeks, if not months.
Kem’Ánne embodies the very essence of an authentic gába.
