Juksakka Hunter Goddess Painting
Juksakka is the goddess of the hunt in the mythology of the Sámi. Some of you might know this already, I am a quarter of a Sámi from my great-grandmother's side. Sámi are the indigenous people of northern Europe. In the myths of the Sami Juksakka, she was the goddess of hunting, a reindeer goddess, and the protector of boys and men. If a couple wanted to have a boy child, they hang a bow and arrows to the komsio (traditional Sámi cradle). My painting has symbols related to her. The Shaman drum includes traditional patterns. The sun in the middle and symbols represent reindeer, the bear, and Juksakka and her two sisters are painted on the bottom of the drum. These three sisters (Juksakka, Sarahkka and Uksakka) were guardians of children and protected the child throughout their life.