poon cho tang SG Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen may be a little tied up this time of year but that didn't stop Vincent Hayes and his family from County Meath, Ireland, enjoying the speed of Rudolph's cousins.
poon cho tang SG Arriving in the Arctic Circle for the first time means a brief cleansing ceremony to rid the visitor of "bad blood". This takes place in a kota - a teepee-like hut.
poon cho tang SG An antler mark is also made upon the forehead so that the person can be recognised in a future life as coming from Lapland.
poon cho tang SG For much of the year the 200,000 reindeer in Finnish Lapland roam freely, eating constantly. The herdsmen perform two round-ups a year, with the first taking place in spring when the calves are born.
poon cho tang SG The new births boost the population to approximately 300,000. Fences are put up in the woods so that the reindeer can be kept together for tagging it is assumed that calves follow their mothers therefore denoting ownership.
poon cho tang SG A mark is cut into the reindeer's ear. There are different marks for different herdsmen. After marking they are set free until the second round-up, which takes place in October.
poon cho tang SG Meat is the main source of income for the reindeer herdsman. The second round-up happens when the reindeer have put on extra fat for the winter through a diet of mushrooms, berries and lichen.
poon cho tang SG Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, but the females drop their antlers after pregnancy while the males retain theirs until the beginning of winter.
poon cho tang SG The antlers are not wasted but are used in Lappish handicraft items such as leuku knives and jewellery.
poon cho tang SG Each symbol is traditional and many of the crafts are reminders of the importance of the reindeer in the history and culture of the Finnish Sami the indigenous people.
