Kautokeino, Norway

The area where Kautokeino is was settled shortly after the last Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago. The first peoples here were hunter-gatherers, and arrowheads have been found here dating back to 7000BC.

From as early as 1553, during the gradual transition between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles, records reveal evidence of permanent settlement at Kautokeino. Christianity took early hold and the first church was built in 1641.

Kautokeino has always been an important place for the Sami people, and the name roughly translates to “midways” as the distance is about equal to Alta, Karasjok, Karesuando and Nordreisa, all historic important markets for the Sami people.

Until 1751, Kautokeino was part of Sweden. Tax lists of the Sami in Sweden go back to 1553. Eventually Kautokeino was incorporated into Norway.

In 1852, Kautokeino was the site of a Sami uprising against the Norwegian authorities. This was one of the few violent reactions by the Sami against the exploitation policies of the Norwegian government and the only known confrontation between Samis and Norwegians with loss of human lives. 

In the 1930s, the vast majority of Sami here still lived the nomadic lifestyle.