Jo Morten Kåven
Juoksáhkká is one of the three daughters of Máttaráhkká (Mother Earth) in Sámi shamanism. The two other daughters are Sáráhkká and Uksáhkká. Juoksáhkká always has a bow and arrow, because her name means “The (hunting) Goddess with the Bow” or simply “Bow-woman”. She is important when a new child is on the way. All newborns are girls, but if you wanted a boy, tributes to Juoksáhkká could contribute to a change of gender to a boy. Her placement in a Sámi home was farthest inside the home, opposite the entrance (where Uksáhkká lives), called Boaššu. Sáráhkká lives in the fireplace in the center (Árran).
“For me as a Sámi all the three goddesses represent peace, harmony and balance between life on earth and the strong connection to spiritual life. Some people might react negatively to the fact that she is holding a bow and arrow, and say that it represents aggression and hostility, but from a nomadic perspective, it is considered a tool for survival.”
Jo Morten Kåven, from Karasjok, Norway, is a Sámi encaustic artist, singer/joiker, and original member of the Sámi band Rolffa. Jo is passionate about strengthening Sámi and other Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
“Juoksáhkká welcoming new life”, 2025, encaustic/wax painting (size A5)
