What is a kuksa?

1. Presentation of this iconic cup of the Scandinavian peoples

A kuksa is a hand-carved cup made from birch burl and in keeping with the ancestral traditions of the Sami people.

What is a kuksa called?

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

2. What are the origins of the kuksa?

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

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

Tradition also holds that one should never wash their kuksa, for fear of losing its lucky charm. You should simply rinse it in a stream or a lake. Do not put it in the dishwasher or wash it with dish soap!

3. What materials are used to make a kuksa?

Wood is the primary material of the kuksa!

It is important to know that trees grow at different rates depending on their species. They also go through growth phases that are responsible for variations in the wood's color. In spring, the tree releases sap, which makes the wood softer and lighter in color. In summer, the wood hardens because of the higher temperatures and darkens.

3.1 Three examples of wood for carving

3.2 Traditional wood — the birch burl

The birch burl is a growth that forms as a result of stress the tree undergoes. This growth generally appears on the trunk of the tree.

Note that the wood from such a growth is extremely resistant to impacts, cracks and especially to thermal shocks. In the Finnish wilderness, in temperatures below -22°, it is possible to drink a hot beverage 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'll need. If you want to get started, follow our complete guide to creating a kuksa! On average, it takes between 5 and 7 days to carve a kuksa.

4.1 Which tools to use for carving?

To carve a kuksa yourself, you need a few tools such as a long knife, a spoon knife, a carving axe, and a short-bladed knife.

4.2 The making of a kuksa step by step

5. What finishes can be applied to a kuksa?

Depending on the maker's wishes, a kuksa may or may not be decorated. Here are some of the most common decorations.

5.1 Reindeer antler

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

5.2 Leather hook

You should also know that every authentic wooden cup has a reindeer-leather cord attached to the handle. This cord allows the Sami to hang their kuksa on their belt. It also allows campers or adventurers to hang their kuksa on their backpack.

6. How to care for a kuksa?

Is the kuksa fragile? Can it break or crack? Since the kuksa is made of wood, it is less fragile than an ordinary porcelain cup, for example. However, it is not unbreakable! Indeed, if it falls from your height, it may crack or even break.

Moreover, if you use your kuksa improperly or do not know how to care for it, it can crack quickly. Here is what causes a kuksa to 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 discover their traditions is with the Sami themselves. The largest concentration of Sami is in Norway, but you can encounter them in Finland.

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

8.2 Online

Kuksa Shop offers many cups handmade by a Finnish artisan. They are made from birch burl following ancestral traditions. Here are some of our products.

10. The advantages of a kuksa

Here are some few advantages of a kuksa :

• Ideal because it retains heat and coolness
• Beautiful
• Sturdy
• Quiet
• Ecological
• Environmentally friendly
• Natural
• Personal (no one will steal your cup)
• Good size for any type of drink

11. Disadvantages of a kuksa

• Do not put in the dishwasher; maintenance can be lengthy
• Can produce foam when the wood comes into contact with certain beers
• Rare product, so limited availability

12. Is a Kupilka a kuksa?

A Kupilka is not a kuksa. Rather, it is an ecological, industrial alternative to a kuksa. Although a Kupilka is made in a factory, it still upholds environmental values, respects Finnish nature and is a durable product.

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