The new year starts with the birth of the calves
The people of the eight seasons. The Sami culture divides the year into eight seasons. The new year begins when calves are born in the spring and the seasons follow the different stages of the reindeer’s year.
Reindeer calves, called miesieh, are born in the spring, marking the start of the year. By that time, the female reindeer, aaltoeh, have migrated back to the grounds where they themselves were born. The entire reindeer herd, krievvie, are especially vulnerable to disruptions at this time – in particular the aaltoeh and their newborn miesieh. Disruptions can come from both humans and other animals. The reindeer herders keep them under their watch from a distance, in order to minimize the risk of disturbing them, while at the same time watching out for dangers from nature, such as predators.
The reindeer calves are quick to get on their feet after being born. The rich reindeer milk is their most important source of nutrients. The calves can manage snow and strong weather, but they are easy prey for predators. Eagles, aarhtse, find their way to the calving grounds and bears, duvrie, are hungry when they first awaken and leave hibernation. By the early summer, gïjregiesie, the nights have become lighter. As the snow melts, green grass emerges. Flowers, herbs, and tree buds make for good grazing. By then the miesieh have grown bigger and stronger. The adult males, sarvah, often congregate in smaller flocks and roam separately.
Calf marking is the high point of the summer
From the end of June until the mosquitoes hatch in July, the reindeer congregate in larger herds and the calves can then be marked. Giesie (the summer) and the event of calf marking are the high points of the year. The reindeer herders can determine which calf belongs to them as the calves follow their mothers. Every reindeer herder has his or her own symbol or mark, with which they mark their calves. The entire family, including the children, gets together to mark the calves. This is often done at night or in the early morning to avoid it getting too warm for the reindeer in the enclosures. The reindeer often seek out patches of snow to cool themselves on warm days and to avoid the worst insect swarms.