Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-09-24
LIFE WITH THE LAPPS.
PscULIARITIes OF THE PEOPLE. As
NOTED BY A TRAVELLER.
sophus Tromholt's Experience Under the
Rays Of the Aurora Borealis-Tent
Life-Dogs and Reindesr-A
Lapp Wedding.
lGlobe.pemocrat Book Reriev.l

tGlobe-Democrat Book Review.l
OF course the author could not live among
the Laps for year without noting many
peculiarities Of their daily life. All live in
tents, there being no such things a. articles
OF furniture. the ground supplying the place
| Of chair, table and bed, men, woman, chl-
dren and dogs all lying together. y
1T is obvious that life in such tsnt Is not
very refined or well regulated. There are
no fixed meals, cal ed chiefly by the circum-
stance that members Of the family have
each to take their turn in guarding the REIN
deer. A large kettle hangs always over the
fire, and when a Lapp wants to eat 10
dives with his hand, into the pot, fetches
cut piece OF meat. which he
devours by the aid o. the knife always car
ried at his side, the fingers serving as forka
During the winter reindeer meat and milk,
the latter either frozen or In the form Of
cheese, and melted snow, constitute the food
and drink OF the Lapp. in addition to which.
he will, when obtainable, consume large
quantity of coffee Any 1ne sharing in
Laps meal must not b Disguised II no
finis certain amount OF reindeer hair in
the food, as the latter sticks to every OBJ
iect-ket.les, spoons, forks and hands. 1t is
almost impossible to get rid of them. as BY
and adhere still more. Tho dogs stand by
when food is being consumed and watch
every morssi from hand to mouth with in
tense attention. In the night they crawl
about the tent, selecting the warmest Of the
company for a couch.
1t is rare that the entire family is at once
collected in the tent, as the herd always re-
quires their attention day and night Men,
women, boys and girls all share in this task,
being relieved twice day Each one
brings his own dogs. which only obey his
commands, while those relieved take back
their hungry ones. Often, therefore, eight
or ten dogs walk over the sleeper to find .
snug corner. And they certainly need rest
considering that they are in constant &C
tivity during the day guarding the flock.
On item depand the well-being and safety
of the herd, and by them alone is the flock
gathered AMI novel from one place to an.
other
AS soon as Lapp childrea can walk they
are dressed a grown-up people, and look
very funny by their dwarfish appearance
But the babies have no clothes at all, being
swaddled in sheepskin and moss in q sort of
half basket, half cradle formed Of wooden
ribs, in the shape OF a little trough, covered
with leather, its size being adapted to that
Of the baby. For the protection Of the baby's
head there is a wooden disk at the upper
end, similar to that on cradles When the
child is packed away, the mother throws the
sustaining strap over her shoulder and thus
support it When the child is packed, it is
not only easier to handle, but is also safer
when left to itself, and tine cradle is often
stuck on end in the snow while the mother
goes into the hut. The games and amuss.
ment, OF Lapp children consist chiefly in
make lassoes and pulks aud practicing their
ue
When Iapp children enter school, they
are like unbroken colts; either they are def
ant or eek safety in excuses. They are in
different to their parents and entirely
neglect them if property or other egotistical
considerations do not influence them. Only
unwillnyly do they take care Of their
parents in old age and more from q sense OF
shame than from any feeling Of affection.
Old and decrepit people are much in the
way Of the Lapp moving from plac, to
taken about, but either left TO beg, or
boarded in the family of settled Lappx"
During Christmas week the author had
an opportunity OF attending Lapp wedding.
and, although many Of the old customs
have passed away tho ceremony is still in
teresting. N
THE bride is dressed in a costume which,
by the Lapp, is considered to be the grand
est and most brilliant toilet the human mind
can conceive. The striped frock is new.
Around the neck and shoulders . many
colored shawl is worn, but ever il is cast, in
the most coQuettish manner, Q gaudy silk
wrapper, the intense colors OF which-yel.
low green and rei-throw the other en-
tireiy into the shade. Over this again Is
tied a silk scarf with various colors, which
Is fastened with a brooch on the breast and
, snowy necklace OF silver ornaments Is
hung round the neck and shoulders; to
crown it all, the hands ars kept in a kind Of
nuff, formed of a large plaid But the gem
IF the whole is the heaigear. 1t is a kind Of
crown but differing greatly from those worn
by the peasant women Of Scandinavia on
such occasions The Lapp bridal
,rown is formed of colored silk, strings Of
pearls and silver ornaments, closed above
with a bunch Of flowers and silver gilt
leaves. while a number OF long. many-col-
,rei silk ribbons Of various patterns and
wi ith- descend from the top down the neck
The bridegroom is clothed in the usual blue
summer coat with broad silver-laden belt.
but the diploma of his dignifisd position is
narrow white band laid round the neck
md croSswise over the breast, the ends
nearly reaching the ground
Popping tho question is done by the
over attempting to take possession Of his
Dulcin,a's furry gloves and her answer Is
indicated BIZ the willing, half-willing o. un-
wiling manner in which she submits 20 the
On marriage he looks with the
,ye of a man of business; disappointmsnts