Jokkmokk

Jokkmokk
Jokkmokk church
Jokkmokk
Coordinates:
Country Sweden
Province Lapland
County Norrbotten County
Municipality Jokkmokk Municipality
Area[1]
 • Total 3.58 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Population (2005-12-31)[1]
 • Total 2,976
 • Density 830/km2 (2,149.7/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Jokkmokk (Lule Sámi: Jåhkåmåhkke) is a locality and the seat of Jokkmokk Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 2,976 inhabitants in 2005.[1] The Sámi name of the place means "River's Curve", due to the meandering river that runs through it. It is just north of the Arctic Circle.

Jokkmokk was a transit center for Sami refugees from Norway during World War II, in addition to the center in Kjesäter.

Jokkmokk Market has a long history and has a more than fourhundred-year unbroken tradition. The first Thursday in February every year, thousands and thousands of people gather in Jokkmokk for concerts, exhibitions and commerce. Jokkmokk Market is still one of the most important social events for the Sámi people in Sápmi. Temperatures during the festival can reach as low as -40°C.

Ájtte Ájtte museum is the main museum for Sámi culture in Sweden. It's also a special museum of mountain chain's natural and cultural resoursces and an information centre for mountain tourists.

Jokkmokk also gave name to the Japanese cookie company called Yoku Moku. The owner, Noriichi Fujinawa, was so elated about "the beautiful village and the nice people" that he named his company after Jokkmokk.[2]

Jokkmokk also gave name to an IKEA kitchen table and chair set made of solid pine.

References

External links

Tourist information in Jokkmokk Ájtte Museum of Sami people