Easter in Kauto

Easter is the biggest thing in this town, and the only time of the year when something really happens. It’s been like that if not from the time immemorial, at least for several hundred years – a time when people gather for a márkan. Márkan marks a time of the year when Sami from different regions traditionally used to gather together for an annual market and to carry out business and pleasure: socialize and visit with relatives and friends, meet new people, change news, discuss topical issues, gossip, trade, and later also go to church and deal issues with non-Sami authorities such as priests and police. In Kauto, the márkan time is Easter and now that the town has both a permanent church and police station, people can focus on pleasure instead of business.