FAQ
Do I have to know anything in particular before becoming a member, like sew or fight with a sword?
No, that is not necessary. The most important thing when being a member of Uma is ones interest and eagerness to learn something new about history, for instance about historical events, historical handicrafts, cooking, fighting, heraldry, etc.
Usually that interest will lead to wanting to learn more about related or not so related subjects or handicrafts that one wants to try. After all, there is a reason there are expressions like ”The SCA, where your hobbies have hobbies!” 😉
Many members are skilled in a specific handicraft technique and can help out in the beginning, or give you tips about useful books, websites or other resources to learn more about a subject.
Your interests determine what you want to do, simply put!
Right now Viking Age and Central European High Middle Ages are the most popular in Uma, but in theory anything before 1600 is doable! For instance Bronze and Iron Age, Roman Empire and the Late Antiquity, Tudor England, Kievan Rus, and 11th century Heian Japan, to name a few.
We have anything from weekly meetups on Mondays and Thursdays, potlucks and bbqs and other things usually on Saturdays, fighting practice Wednesdays and Sundays. As well as hosting larger events, and of course visit events hosted by other SCA groups elsewhere.
They take place at the association premises, on Mondays and Thursdays, from 19 o’clock and onwards.
For the most part it’s general socialising and handicrafting, sometimes even themed nights where someone shows something in particular or holds a lecture about a certain crafting technique, a historical period or event. On weekly meetups one usually dresses in modern clothing.
About once a month we usually organise a potluck on the association premises, and especially during the summer months these are often transformed into outdoor bbqs on different locations, usually in the Umeå vicinity.
In both cases we dress up in historical garb, bring historical or historically inspired food, and preferably also something historically inspired to eat with (because travel sets were very common back in the day!) plate, drinking vessel and eating utensils – and enjoy the cosy atmosphere with good food and merry company!
Sometimes there’s also some music, singing and/or dancing. The bbq that is organised on Walpurgis Eve at the stone ship at the Mjösö lake is an annual tradition.
In Uma there is fighting practice twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, at the old Ålidhem school. Heavy combat, heavy fighting or kämpalek in Swedish, more generally referred to as fighting in English, is medieval battle on foot with weapons rattan weapons.
Each participant decides what kind of gear they want to use, that conforms to SCA’s safety rules for gear. There is loaner gear for those that want to come and try fighting, but once one has decided to practice more one can either order or make ones own rattan weapons and gear.
Our Marshal (person in charge of fighting) will gladly tell you more, if you meet him at the association premises or during fighting practice! Also feel free to send him an email.
In Uma we dance historical dances from the 1500s and onwards. The dances are reconstructed ones based on historical sources, for instance quick reference guides or more complete dance manuscripts. Some examples are simple circle dances from the 1500s (branles), pair and ballroom dancing from the English 1600s (English Country Dances) and intricate baroque dances from France andItaly. No previous dance knowledge is needed to start dancing!
Right now dancing is paused becaus the dance mistress is very busy with work. Otherwise dance training was organised once or twice per month when there were enough dancers that had signed up in advance.
The largest annual event that Uma hosts is the weekend event Autumndance (Höstdansen), that is usually held in October/November at Brattby bygdegård (community center) a bit outside of Umeå.
Usually there is one or more dance workshops, an arts- and sciences exhibition, there can also be market tables. On Saturday evening a banquet is served with two services, and sometimes also a ball inbetween the servings. One can socialise and do handicrafts during the entire event.
Both Uma and other medieval societies in Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe and around the world arranges weekend events (some may even be more than three days, but often focused on a weekend to make things easier in regards to transport/time off work etc). They usually start on Friday afternoon or evening, and take place to around Sunday at around noon.
Everyone dresses up in medieval garb or an attempt to create historical garb, bring overnight equipment and go away with a bunch of other people to a bit larger event location to spend a nice weekend together.
The programme for events varies, but usually there can be for instance workshops, competitions like for instance fighting, archery or barding, free handicrafting, and plenty of good food. The Saturday evening usually has a banquet with many dishes, and court ceremonies can be organised if royalty are visiting and members are rewarded with awards.
As a participant of primarily weekend events organised by SCA/SKA you are expected to wear “an attempt at historically inspired garb” (from before 1600) to contribute to a cosy atmosphere at the event.
The reason to why many choose medieval or viking age clothing is because it is simple patterns that are easy to make, and can be varied in a multide depending on era and class etc, and the fit is easy to adjust with a belt.
Reading tips [in Swedish]: Kläder och annat – vad kan jag ha på mig för nåt?! [Clothing and other – what can I wear?!]
There are some clothes on the association premises that are available for new members/visitors to borrow before they’ve gotten or made their own, but we cannot guarantee that exactly your size is available. But most clothing can be adjusted with a belt etc.
At the association premises we also have so called feastgear, or festväxel a bit humoursly called in Swedish. It is things one can borrow to eat/drink with, eating utensils, bowls, mugs etc, for use during potlucks or weekend events.
Talk to someone at the association premises or contact us via email/on facebook/Discord if you want to borrow clothes and/or feastgear!
If you attend a Monday- or Thursday meetup we’d be happy to help with practical advice and tips on how to sew your own clothing 🙂
Uma has a small selection of historical/historically inspired clothing that can be used by new members/visitors on our local events, that have not yet gotten own/made own clothing. Members of the association have a varied selection of historical garb and equipment.
Both the association and its members have on rare occasions rented medieval clothing and equipment for different productions like photoshoots or commercials.
Contact us via email (or come by the association premises) and tell us more about your project and needs, and we’ll make a decision from case to case.
The address to the Uma premises is Häradshövdingegatan 17, Umeå.
The premises are in the basement of the building, one staircase down. There is no elevator. The front door is usually locked with a door code; just press the digital doorbell that is hung outside the main gate, or knock on a window on the left side of the door and we’ll come and open!
If one takes the bus, you can ride to these bus stops: Fabriksgatan (line 1, 5, 8 or 9) or Församlingsgården (line 2) and walk some hundred meters to get there.
Yepp! We have a public facebook page where we post about upcoming events etc, if you just want to keep track of events etc before visiting:
SKA Uma – medeltidsförening i Umeå [SKA Uma – medieval association in Umeå]
https://www.facebook.com/skauma.org
We also have a private facebook-group for members. It’s used for general discussion, planning events and to share content that might be of interest for Uma members.
We also have an internal Discord group for general discussion.
Contact us via email (or PM on facebook) to be added to the internal Facebook-group.
Awesome! Please do come by the association premises when it’s open, ie, a Monday or Thursday evening to meet us and learn more.
After that you can fill in the membership form at https://member.nordmark.org/ select the shire Uma and pay the membership fee via Swish or banktransfer.
When you become a member of Uma you are also a member of the national organisation Nordmark and generally get some discount on the events other SCA associations host.
Membership costs 350 SEK each calendar year for an adult (+18 years) and 250 SEK for students and unemployed as well as for youths 13 to 17 years old. Membership for children between 0 to 12 years is free if a guardian is already a member.