What is a kuksa ?

1. Presentation of this emblematic cup of the Scandinavian people

A kuksa is a hand-carved cup made from birch burrs and respecting the ancestral traditions of the Sami people.

What is the name of the kuksa?

Throughout the Sami people and their 10 dialects, kuksa are called :

2. What are the origins of kuksa?

Originally, kuksa were used by the Sami as a personal cup to help them eat or to gather berries. This multifunctional cup had to be durable and strong.

The kuksa is part of the Duodji, a Sami handicraft centered on everyday objects such as a cup, a knife or a bag to collect provisions.

Tradition also requires that one never washes their kuksa, at the risk of losing its lucky side! You should simply rinse it in a stream or a lake. No dishwashers or washing it with dishwashing liquid!

3. What materials are used to make a kuksa?

Wood is the basic material of the kuksa!

It is important to know that trees grow at different rates depending on their species. Moreover, they have phases of growth which are then responsible for the variations of color of wood. Indeed, in spring, the tree will release sap which will give a softer and lighter colored wood. In summer, the wood hardens due to the high temperatures and darkens.

3.1 Three examples of wood for carving

3.2 The traditional wood, the birch burl

The birch burl is a growth that forms under a stress that the tree goes through. This growth will generally form on the trunk of the tree.

Note that the wood from that growth is extremely resistant to shocks, cracks & especially to temperature shocks. In the middle of Finnish nature, in temperatures of under -22°, it is possible to drink a hot drink in a kuksa.

4. How to make a kuksa?

We will briefly explain the 9 steps to make your own kuksa as well as the list of tools you need. For those who want to start, follow our complete guide to make a kuksa ! On average, it takes between 5 and 7 days to carve a kuksa.

4.1 What tools to use in sculpture?

To carve a kuksa yourself, you need a few tools like a long knife, a spoon knife, a carving axe and a short blade knife.

4.2 The making of a kuksa step by step

5. What finishing touches can be put on a kuksa?

According to the creator's desire, a kuksa may have decorations. Here are some of the most common decorations.

5.1 Reindeer antler

The most classic decoration is a piece of polished reindeer antler inlaid in the handle of the cup. Indeed, reindeer being part of Sami life, reindeer antlers came naturally to embellish the wooden cups they created.

5.2 Leather hook

It is also important to know that on every authentic cup there is a reindeer leather tie attached to the handle. This link allows the Sami to hang their kuksa on their belt. It also allows campers or adventurers to hang the kuksa on their backpack.

6. How to preserve a kuksa?

Is the kuksa fragile? Can it break or crack? The kuksa being made of wood, is less fragile than an ordinary porcelain cup for example. However, it is not unbreakable! If it falls from ones standing height, it may crack or even break.

Moreover, if you do not take proper care your kuksa, it can crack quickly. Here is what makes a kuksa crack:

• Do not put a kuksa in the dishwasher
• Do not wash a kuksa in boiling water
• Do not soak a kuksa in water
• Do not wash a kuksa with conventional dishwashing liquid
• Do not use a rough sponge to clean a kuksa

In this video, discover one of the ways to clean your kuksa, here with a natural honey soap.

7. How much does a kuksa cost?

The price of a kuksa will depend on several factors, the main ones being:

• The type of wood used
• The capacity of the cup
• The type of decoration
• The time it took to make it
• Handmade

8. Where to find kuksa?

8.1 In the Scandinavian countries

The best place to find kuksa and learn about their traditions is with the Sami themselves. The largest concentration of Sami is in Norway, but you can find them in Finland.

You can also find many kuksa in various Finnish handicraft stores.

8.2 Online

Kuksa Shop offers you many cups handmade by a Finnish artisan. They are made of birch burr following the ancestral traditions.

10. The advantages of a kuksa

Here are some few advantages of a kuksa :

• Ideal because it keeps the heat and the coolness
• Beautiful
• Solid
• Ecological
• Environmentally friendly
• Natural
• Personal
• Light for hiking
• Good size for each drink

11. Unique features of an authentic kuksa

• Can not be placed in a dishwashe
• Not compatible with some beers that will foam a lot
• Rare product so little availability

12. Is a Kupilka a kuksa?

A kupilka is not a kuksa. It is an industrial yet ecological alternative to a kuksa. Even though a Kupilka is made in a factory, it`s still ecologically friendly, honors Finnish nature and is a durable of the product.

Kupilka was the first Finnish company to run its production line entirely on green electricity.