Binnabánnaš
The little reindeer Binnabánnaš (“tiny” in the Sámi language) was created so that children in the Sápmi region could have a TV puppet with which they could identify; one of their own age and that spoke their language. The puppet was first shown in 2018, and was featured on national television every afternoon.
Binnabánnaš is an inquisitive reindeer calf that was created to appeal to children from 3 to 6 years of age. The little fish Ujujju is Binnabánnaš’ toy, which has since 2021 been made into a moving puppet with a voice and control mechanisms. Binnabánnaš is a friend of Fantorangen, who occasionally visits the Sámi programmes.
Information
(Objekt ID 146942)| Object type | Puppet |
| Production date | 2018 |
| Category | Muppet |
| Themes | Children, Television figure |
| Size | Approximately 75 cm |
| License | © NRK |
| Last changed | 30.07.2025 |
| Create date | 15.03.2024 |
Teaterfigur
Teaterfigurer, bedre kjent som teaterdukker, har spilt på norske scener i generasjoner, til stor glede for publikum i alle aldersgrupper.
The main purpose of creating the character Binnabánnaš and produce independent episodes running over several seasons, was to strengthen Sámi culture and to ensure that new generations were exposed to the three most-spoken Sámi languages: Northern Sámi, Lule Sámi and Southern Sámi. Mona Solbakk, former director of NRK Sápmi, has stated: "The puppet is becoming an important guardian of the Sámi language(s)".
Binnabánnaš was created at NRK, by designer Rune Røsting and puppetmaker Christina Espedal. An article in Norwegian about the process can be found here: NRK Beta.
Performers:
Binnabánnaš has been performed on television by Inga Biret Marja Triumf and Liv Natalie Nymo
Ujujju is performed by Asllat Niillas Anti.
Binnabánnaš exists both as a TV puppet and as mascot in full human size. It has also been made into a soft toy for general sale, produced on licence from NRK.
SOURCES:
NRK
Helgesen, Anne: Descriptions for the TV puppet exhibition "Alle tiders barndomshelter" ("Childhood heroes through the generations"), Slottsfjellsmuseet/Figurfestspillene, 19–28 January 2024.
Aftenposten: www.aftenposten.no/kutur/i/G1nAd4/den.-samiske-fantorangen
Ownership: On loan from NRK super.
Registered on Sceneweb: 10.03.2024.
Links to series:
Northern Sámi: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/binnabannas
Lule Sámi: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/binnabannasj-julevsamegiellaj
Southern Sámi: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/binnabannas-aaarjelsaemieng-elesne
Binnabánnaš has a mouth that can open and close. The eyes are made of glass. He has one small and one larger horn, deliberately made to be imperfect. The head and body parts are made of foam and covered with wool fleece. The fur is grey, with beige patches on the face and body.
The TV puppet’s mouth and neck have a large range of motion. There is an opening for the performer’s arm under the body and in the neck, to allow for different patterns of movement. The performer may use their other arm to control the arms, by way of thin rods. If there is a second performer, the legs may also be controlled with rods connected to the puppet’s feet.
| Christina Espedal (person) | – Puppet Maker |
| Rune Røsting (person) | – Designer |
| NRK (organization) | – Creator |