Reindeer-herd management in transition

By Hugh Beach

Subjects: Sami (European people), Reindeer herding, Reindeer

Description: This thesis applies certain fundamental principles derived from communications theory and systems analysis and developed by Gregory Bateson and others to a discussion of changes in reindeer-herd management. The following important questions are discussed. What are the determinants which have been active in the progression from intensive to extensive herding? What were the herding effects of northem-Saami (Lapp) relocation in the early 1900s? What is rational herding, why and how have its principles developed? These questions will be answered with regard to the historical development of one particular, mountain-Saami, herding unit, Tuorpon. Part I presents a diachronic analysis of Tuorpon-herding changes. Part II broadens the context to encompass the essential features of Swedish reindeer-herding legislation. In Part III, an attempt is made to bring this material together to explain the variable resistance to and compliance with governmental, rational ideals in Tuorpon. Essential to this study is the recognition of numerous, hierarchical, resource-consumer relationships, such as grazing/reindeer, reindeer/herders, herders/Saamish society and Saamish society /the Swedish State. Thus, the land available for herding largely determines the size of the reindeer population, which in tum largely determines the size of the herder population and the extent to which this group can serve as a pillar of the Saamish minority etc. To survive, these relations must be in balance with each other. Certain patterns are uncovered in Swedish herding legislation as this search for balance continues.