I’ve been to Sweden and Norway for work and only ever flew in for a few days, and never had the chance to really embrace the Scandinavian culture. I work with many people across the world and always have been genuinely curious about my friends in the Nordic countries I met through projects or day to day consultations.
This trip is me following the whispers of my dreams and hopes. When I was at high school in Australia I had my name down for a student exchange in the Scandinavian countries and instead I went to uni.
I came for the Arctic landscapes in northern Norway after time in Denmark, and I discovered drumbeats, stories, and the heart of Sámi culture.
A few days before joining a Sámi Shaman Coffee Ritual, I visited the Sámi and Sápmi exhibitions at the Arctic University Museum of Norway (Norges arktiske universitetsmuseum) in Tromso.
Seeing the history up close was intense. For centuries, Sámi culture and language were suppressed. Authorities and Christian missionaries saw Sámi traditions as backward and tried to force the adoption of Norwegian language, religion, and customs. Even sacred practices like playing the drum were banned.
Sámi activists fought to reclaim their language, culture, land, and rights; asserting their identity and demanding what had been taken from them.
From the museum to the coffee ritual, the weight of history hit me in a way words can’t fully capture. I was reminded again how repressive structures in different cultures insist their way is the only option. Yet Sámi culture is very much alive, resilient, and being reclaimed which is why I was inspired to go deeper on this trip and learn more about the local cultures and ancient wisdom.
At the ritual it became real in a way a museum never could. We shared stories, reflected in an open circle of trust, and drummed together inviting the elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire into our lives and time together through a sacred ceremony.
I felt the vibration through my hands and chest. It had been a while since I last drummed, and losing myself in the rhythm as we set intentions for happiness, luck, and success was an incredible uplifting experience and feeling.
For me the steady drumbeats reflected the focus and strength of masculine energy, while the quiet spaces in between called for listening, presence, and the receptive feminine energy.
Our Shaman Gunnar explained that balancing these energies is key and we all carry both within us. This resonated deeply with my own journey of healing and growth over the years; especially in relation to healthy love relationships.
Ceremonies like this connect us to something greater than ourselves. Listening to the spaces between the drumbeats, feeling the energy in the room, and sharing coffee and stories grounded me in a simple yet unforgettable way.
Going from the exhibition to the ceremony made the history hit differently. I could feel what had almost been lost and at the same time, the culture’s resilience and ongoing reclamation.
Why do I share you may ask? These photos capture moments, but the drum, the stories, and the balance of energies? That’s something you really have to feel and experience for yourself. I’m an advocate for human rights, and freedoms. So learning more about the way of the Sámi and the respect for our environment really resonates as I’m a nature lover myself. Especially after experiencing the diversity of weather and landscapes in this beautiful patch of mother earth – our home.
If you’d like to explore further I suggest connecting with the wonderful Trollhavn team who welcomed me into their local community and shared their northern ancient wisdom. I’m grateful to have experienced the opportunity to partake in their cultural and transformative project. I enjoyed the conversation, the laughter and connection on a snowy day in the Arctic.
With love, Suitcase Cally 💙
