Spoken and unspoken rules in the gåetie
There are both spoken and unspoken rules to be followed while living in a gåetie. Things, as well as people and the dog, all have their own fixed places in a gåetie.
The unspoken rules derive from the fact that space is limited in a gåetie. The area in the back of the gåetie, opposite the door, is called båassjoe. The parents and the youngest children sit to the left of the båassjoe. If the paternal or maternal grandparents also live in the gåetie, they sit to the right together with the older children. Everyone’s place is decided with consideration to the total number of inhabitants and to find the most practical arrangement. The dog’s place is adjacent to the door.
In the past, there was a smaller door at the båassjoe, the båassjoeraejkie. Meat was brought into the gåetie through this door. Today, this hole has become smaller and primarily functions as ventilation. The båassjoe is a sacred place, where food is stored. It is forbidden to step over this area of the gåetie. Weapons for hunting and the family’s drum, the gievrie, were also stored here.
Respect for this area was also shown around the outside of the home.
The area around the båassjoeraejkie is sacred. In the past, this was where food and meat were brought into the gåetie. This area is kept clear. This tradition is maintained even today, and it is still important that this area is kept clean and tidy, even on the outside.