The Gift of Acabar Ch 2

The Mattis Family and Their Reindeer

• Pedar Mattis and his wife Inga were proud members of the Same people, whose livelihood was centered around reindeer.
• Reindeer were essential to the Mattis family's survival, providing milk, meat, clothing, and financial resources.
• The Mattis herd consisted of almost 200 reindeer.
• Pedar taught his son Tulo traditional Lapp skills, including skiing, reindeer herding, hunting, and crafting.
• The family lived in a village called Kalvala, where they would spend winters watching over their reindeer in the rolling hills.
• The Mattis family would migrate to the foothills during the summer for grazing.
• The reindeer were hardy animals, able to withstand harsh climates and provide sustenance even during harsh winters.
• Reindeer meat, milk, and hides were utilized for food, clothing, and trade.

Tulo's Curiosity

• Tulo was a curious and inquisitive child, often asking his father questions about the stars, the sun, and God.
• Pedar, not having a formal education, struggled to answer some of his son's complex questions.
• Pedar and Inga decided to enroll Tulo in school sooner than expected due to the changing world and the importance of education in the face of technological advancements.

The Changing World

• The world was rapidly changing, with advancements like electricity, highways, airplanes, and snowmobiles impacting the traditional Lapp way of life.
• The Mattis family, along with the other Sami people, faced increasing pressure from modernization and encroaching industry.
• Even while embracing the new world, Pedar asserted his commitment to remaining a reindeer herder.