The exhibition is based on the importance of the Neiden river for the local population and the vital role of the boat in making use of the river and the area’s resources. Neiden’s collective society memory and the memories of time witnesses are made visible through the replicated boat and the remains of the old boats.
The aim of the project is a reconstruction of the Neiden boat and the continuation of the traditional knowledge as well as documenting and communicating its value.
The exhibition, which opened on March 15, will be open throughout May 2025. During the exhibition period, there will be a naming competition – what should the boat be called? The newly built boat will be tarred and launched onto the river this summer.
Neiden, Njauddâm in Skolt Saami, is a small village with a unique culture and history. The settlements are located on both sides of the Neiden River, Njauddâmjokk in Skolt Sami, within an area of 16 km up to the Finnish border. The settlement continues on the Finnish side and the village there is called Näätämö, Njauddâm.
This melting pot of Skolt Saami, Russian, Finnish (Kven) and Norwegian cultural traditions resulted in the unique Neiden boat, among other things. The boat is an open river boat type, originally built in wood. It is specially designed for fishing and other purposes on the Neiden River, under the special conditions that characterize this waterway.
Neiden Helselag has taken the initiative to bring the Neiden boat back into the light. Ä ́vv Skolt Saami Museum has supported this in order to preserve traditional methods for building and use that was developed through generations. The collaboration to obtain information about the boat has been ongoing since 2019. The copy building has been carried out by boat builder Arne Terje Sæter, Kasavi As from Tromsø and apprentice Ben Arne Sotkajærvi from Vaggetem. The apprentice was engaged to ensure the continuation of the traditional knowledge. The new boat was completed in November 2024.
The project’s long-term aim for the Neiden boat is for it to be in use in its right element, namely the Neiden river, and become a visual part of today’s local environment. In the spring of 2025, the boat will be tarred and launched onto the river. The boat will be used in an outdoor exhibition when it is taken up from the river in the autumn. A boathouse will be set up for this purpose, exhibition storage during the winter months. The ten prints with pictures and texts from the temporary exhibition are printed on waterproof material and will also be a part of this.
The project is financed by Riksantikvaren, Finnmarkseiendommen and Forbundet Kysten. Neiden Helselag is the project owner. The museum’s role has been to facilitate the production of copies by making the workshop available as well as administrating the project.
Arne Terje Sæter/Kasavi has documented the construction process on his own Facebook page “Nordlandsbåt” in addition to the museum’s own page. The apprentice has also contributed with information through his channels.
https://www.facebook.com/nordlandsbaat
