Three centuries on, a shaman’s precious rune drum returns home

Instrument confiscated by the Danes is given back to the Sami people after a lengthy campaign

On 7 December 1691, a precious rune drum, created to help a noaidi, or shaman, to enter a trance and walk among spirits, was confiscated by the authorities. The owner, Anders Poulsson - or Poala-Ande in the name's Sami form - was tried for witchcraft the following year.

Poulsson told the court, according to official records, that his mother had taught him how to use the rune drum, because he wanted to help people in distress, and with his art he wanted to do good, and his mother said that she would teach him such an art".