The End of Drum-Time

The reindeer are symbols of Sámi culture, survival, endurance, and identity. These animals are central to the Sámi way of life, representing not only economic sustenance but also the cultural and spiritual connection to their land. The care and herding of reindeer symbolize the continuity of tradition and the struggle to maintain an Indigenous way of life in the face of colonization. The reindeer herd scattering during the climactic confrontation highlights the chaos and disruption caused by the settler society. This event symbolizes the fragmentation of Sámi culture and the destructive impact of colonization.

Furthermore, the reindeer also represent nature and its intrinsic connection to Sámi identity and spirituality. This connection is underscored by the epigraph of the novel, "Let the reindeer decide" (xiii), a Sámi proverb that emphasizes nature’s power. The reindeer’s role as a natural guide contrasts with the control and dominance sought by settler society. In Sámi culture, the reindeer are not merely resources but are seen as sentient beings with their own agency, reflecting a worldview in which humans are part of a larger, interconnected natural order. This perspective is fundamentally different from the Christian and settler views that often prioritize human dominion over nature.