Book

The snowmobile revolution: technology and social change in the Arctic

Waveland Press • Prospect Heights, Ill. • Published In 1987 • Pages:

By: Pelto, Pertti J..

Abstract
This study is concerned with the impact of the snowmobile on a small population of Skolt Saami in northeastern Finland, with particular emphasis on its effects on reindeer herding. In order to document the transformation that Pelto has called the 'snowmobile revolution,' chapters one through four of this work provide background on the methods and technology of reindeer herding and arctic transportation before the advent of the snowmobile. Chapters five and six describe the arrival of the snowmobile in the Skolt region, its spread throughout Lapland, and its problems of upkeep and maintenance. Chapter seven discusses the mechanization of reindeer herding -- the main focus of this book, while the social, economic, and political effects of the snowmobile are examined in chapters eight and nine in both statistical and qualitative terms. Chapter ten presents Pelto's evaluation of the effects of the snowmobile on Skolt society. He suggests that the results have been disastrous and consequently he outlines certain courses of action which could perhaps alleviate the situation post 1980s (p. vi). The final chapter of this study (chapter eleven), consists of three appendices, an epilogue, and some interesting notes on reindeer herding in the 1980s.
Subjects
Sociocultural trends
Annual cycle
Pastoral activities
Vehicles
culture
Saami
HRAF PubDate
1996
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Scandinavia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1994
Field Date
1978, 1979, 1984 (p. vii)
Coverage Date
1978-1984
Coverage Place
Sevettijärvi, Finland
Notes
Pertti J. Pelto
Originally published: 1978
Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-227)
LCSH
Sami (European people)