Goahti
Náhppi
It used to be used when milking reindeer and was made from a large birch burl.
A náhppi has great symbolic value and is the master test for a Sámi artisan. It demands a knowledge of culture and history, a feeling for design and a lot of technical skill. As is customary for Sámi handicraft, functionality is the principal criteria in designing. Milking was done outside and the container would often be placed directly on the uneven ground without it tipping over. The reindeer cows were often uneasy and didn't stand still. Milking gave only about 1.5 dl of milk per animal. Therefore the milk was very precious and spilling was to be avoided.
A náhppi should be round in shape, the bottom should be slightly rounded, the upper edge should have a lip on it and function to keep the milk from splashing out. The handle should be comfortable to hold and fit a woman's hand. A náhppi should also be functional, light, thin and have a good design and be beautiful. The raw material was chosen with great care, and the grain of the wood was to become part of the pattern. Sometimes local patterns were carved on the bottom and on the edge and on the inside the pattern of the grain enhanced the beauty. On the handle reindeer antler pieces were attached and engraved. The handle was also provided with a reindeer leather-twined loop to hang it with.
In today's modern artistic handicraft the náhppi has kept its original basic shape. It can be understood as evidence that the old masters' designs were perfect. Today artistic handicraft is more focused on the aesthetic than on the functional. The vessels that previously were so thin and light are now more solid and heavier to give them better balance so they can be placed on a flat table. The characteristics of the local ornamentation have lessened and been replaced by more general Sámi style and the reindeer leather cord is no longer to be seen.
In today's home a náhppi is a potent identity marker which shows where the owner comes from and where his or her sympathies lie.
Source courtesy of: sameslojdstiftelsen.com/?p=42
