If you are like me, probably you have never heard of the Sámi culture. Well, maybe way back when, these peoples were mentioned in a long-forgotten history or geography class. I ran onto the reference when researching Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, and it sparked a memory of a nomadic people in Scandinavia and Russia. So here we are.
BEING SÁMI: A LANGUAGE BASED CULTURE
Being Sámi has to do with all peoples speaking the Sámi language and inhabiting Lapland and adjacent areas of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Penninsula of Russia. The region is referred to as Sápmi. ▼Image Source: www.hca.westernsydney.edu.au/
BEING SÁMI: A LANGUAGE BASED CULTURE
Being Sámi has to do with all peoples speaking the Sámi language and inhabiting Lapland and adjacent areas of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Penninsula of Russia. The region is referred to as Sápmi. ▼Image Source: www.hca.westernsydney.edu.au/
The Sámi languages belong to the Finno-Ugric branch of the Uralic language family. Of the eleven Sámi languages, two are virtually extinct, and the remaining nine, which are still in use to some degree, are divided into three subgroups: southern, western, and eastern.
Sources differ in opinions about whether or not most people of the Sámi culture speak their native language. Some claim the Sámi do but are definitely bilingual; others assert that very few speak their native language. It makes sense that in the cities, those people may not remain fluent in their native tongue, but most likely in the far north and more isolated areas, Sámi do. However, only one person with knowledge of Kemi and Akkala, the extinct languages, was alive in 2020. www.britannica.com/Sámi
Estimates of current Sámi populations vary. According to britannica.com/, in the late 2010s and early 2020s there approximately 95,500 Sámi.
Norway 53,000
Sweden 20,000 to 40,000
Finland 11,000
Russia 1,530
en.wikipedia.org places the Sámi population at an estimated 108,000 maximum (no specific date given).
Norway 37,890–60,000
Sweden 14,600–36,000
Finland 9,350
Russia 1,530
US 480 First ancestry; 945 First and Second
Ukraine 136 (in 2001)
THE ORIGINAL NOMADIC PEOPLE
Modern science tells us the human species originated in Africa and likely reached Europe from the southeast no later than 42,000 years ago. During the last ice age, 33,000-20,000 years ago, when a permanent ice sheet covered northern and parts of central Europe, humans in southwest Europe were isolated from groups further to the east.
When the ice sheet retreated, some of these hunter gatherers eventually colonized Scandinavia from the south, making it one of the last areas of Europe to be inhabited. Recent studies lead to the conclusion that there were two groups that migrated into Scandinavia starting about 11,700 years ago; the first from what is modern day Denmark and Germany into Sweden and the second from populations east of the Baltic Sea moving northeast following the Atlantic coast in northern Finland and Norway.
theconversation.com/origins-of-the-first-scandinavians
The Sámi origins are obscure, and not all historians agree. From what is known today, these peoples are the descendants of nomadic peoples who had inhabited northern Scandinavia for thousands of years, perhaps since the first migration from the region of the Volga, Oka, and Kama rivers in what is now Russia. When the second migration entered the area in the 8th century BC, Sámi settlements were probably spread somewhat evenly over the whole of that country. In recent times they have been pushed north in Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
▼Image Source: http://french.abrahams-legacy.org/scan-migration.html
Sources differ in opinions about whether or not most people of the Sámi culture speak their native language. Some claim the Sámi do but are definitely bilingual; others assert that very few speak their native language. It makes sense that in the cities, those people may not remain fluent in their native tongue, but most likely in the far north and more isolated areas, Sámi do. However, only one person with knowledge of Kemi and Akkala, the extinct languages, was alive in 2020. www.britannica.com/Sámi
Estimates of current Sámi populations vary. According to britannica.com/, in the late 2010s and early 2020s there approximately 95,500 Sámi.
Norway 53,000
Sweden 20,000 to 40,000
Finland 11,000
Russia 1,530
en.wikipedia.org places the Sámi population at an estimated 108,000 maximum (no specific date given).
Norway 37,890–60,000
Sweden 14,600–36,000
Finland 9,350
Russia 1,530
US 480 First ancestry; 945 First and Second
Ukraine 136 (in 2001)
THE ORIGINAL NOMADIC PEOPLE
Modern science tells us the human species originated in Africa and likely reached Europe from the southeast no later than 42,000 years ago. During the last ice age, 33,000-20,000 years ago, when a permanent ice sheet covered northern and parts of central Europe, humans in southwest Europe were isolated from groups further to the east.
When the ice sheet retreated, some of these hunter gatherers eventually colonized Scandinavia from the south, making it one of the last areas of Europe to be inhabited. Recent studies lead to the conclusion that there were two groups that migrated into Scandinavia starting about 11,700 years ago; the first from what is modern day Denmark and Germany into Sweden and the second from populations east of the Baltic Sea moving northeast following the Atlantic coast in northern Finland and Norway.
theconversation.com/origins-of-the-first-scandinavians
The Sámi origins are obscure, and not all historians agree. From what is known today, these peoples are the descendants of nomadic peoples who had inhabited northern Scandinavia for thousands of years, perhaps since the first migration from the region of the Volga, Oka, and Kama rivers in what is now Russia. When the second migration entered the area in the 8th century BC, Sámi settlements were probably spread somewhat evenly over the whole of that country. In recent times they have been pushed north in Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
▼Image Source: http://french.abrahams-legacy.org/scan-migration.html
LIFE STYLE
Reindeer herding had been the basis of the Sámi economy until very recently. Although the Sámi hunted reindeer from the earliest times and kept them in small numbers as pack and decoy animals, traveling from place to place with large herds began only a few centuries ago. The reindeer-herding Sámi lived in tents or turf huts and migrated with their herds in units of five or six families, their diet consisting of hunting and fishing.
Reindeer herding had been the basis of the Sámi economy until very recently. Although the Sámi hunted reindeer from the earliest times and kept them in small numbers as pack and decoy animals, traveling from place to place with large herds began only a few centuries ago. The reindeer-herding Sámi lived in tents or turf huts and migrated with their herds in units of five or six families, their diet consisting of hunting and fishing.
Sámi family in Norway around 1900 ►
Image Source: www.ancient-origins.net/Sámi-culture [Public domain]
The photo of this family in Norway was taken in 1896 in the Kanstadfjord, near Lødingen, Nordland. The adults on the left are Ingrid (born Sarri) and her husband Nils Andersen Inga. In front of the parents are Berit and Ole Nilsen. The lady on the right is Ellen, sister of Ingrid. In front of Ellen are the children Inger Anna and Tomas. The children of Inger Anna are reindeer herders still today (circa 1900).
Most modern Sámi are urbanized, They live with their families (not several families) in permanent modern housing and don’t travel around following their herds.
Image credit: Сергей Груздев - Страница автора на Panoramio.com ▼Herding Reindeer with snowmobiles
▼Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5827768 Image Source: www.briticannica.com
Image Source: www.ancient-origins.net/Sámi-culture [Public domain]
The photo of this family in Norway was taken in 1896 in the Kanstadfjord, near Lødingen, Nordland. The adults on the left are Ingrid (born Sarri) and her husband Nils Andersen Inga. In front of the parents are Berit and Ole Nilsen. The lady on the right is Ellen, sister of Ingrid. In front of Ellen are the children Inger Anna and Tomas. The children of Inger Anna are reindeer herders still today (circa 1900).
Most modern Sámi are urbanized, They live with their families (not several families) in permanent modern housing and don’t travel around following their herds.
Image credit: Сергей Груздев - Страница автора на Panoramio.com ▼Herding Reindeer with snowmobiles
▼Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5827768 Image Source: www.briticannica.com
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Today the Sámi still herd their reindeer communally, although each animal is individually owned, but don't be surprised if you see them herding them on snowmobiles.
Of course, not all Sámi herd reindeer. Norwegian Sámi are often coastal fishermen, or, if they live in other areas, earn their livelihoods farming, freshwater fishing, forestry or mining. If they live in bigger cities and towns, many participate as do other Scandinavians in professional, cultural, and academic jobs. However, many Sámi still live in small villages in the high Arctic.
RELIGION
The traditional Sámi spiritual practices and beliefs are based on shamanism, but varied from region to region. The original religion is generally considered to be Animism, meaning that all significant natural objects (such as animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess a soul. Therefore, the Sámi believed in many spirits, and commonly emphasize animal spirits, including bear worship and spirits such as the Haldi who watched over nature.
Considering the location and the nature of their existence, they were very in touch with the natural environment. Some Sámi people worshiped a thunder god, a forest spirit, and a daughter of the green fertile earth. Their symbol of the world tree, reaching up the the North Star is similar to ideas found in Finnish mythology.
Shamanism is important in non-Christian Sámi society, and some shamanistic healing rites are still performed. However, today Finnish and Russian Sámi belong to the Russian Orthodox faith. Most others are Lutheran, but the most northern of the Sámi communities have a strong evangelical congregationalism.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Like many indigenous peoples in the world, the Sámi have not fared well under the domination of stronger regimes which, in Scandinavia, were those peoples who migrated from northern Europe (the blonde haired, blue-eyed Scandinavians) and founded the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden.
The Sámi have a complex relationship with the Scandinavians. “The Scandinavian countries periodically tried to assimilate the Sámi, and the use of the Sámi languages in schools and public life was long forbidden. In the second half of the 20th century, however, attention was drawn to the problems of the Sámi minority, which became more assertive in efforts to maintain its traditional society and culture through the use of Sámi in schools and the protection of reindeer pastures. In each country there are Sámi political and cultural societies, and there are a few Sámi newspapers and radio programs.” www.britannica.com/Sámi
“The Sámi are still coping with the cultural consequences of language and culture loss caused by generations of Sámi children being taken to missionary or state-run boarding schools and the legacy of laws that were created to deny the Sámi rights (e.g., to their beliefs, language, land and to the practice of traditional livelihoods). The Sámi are experiencing cultural and environmental threats, including: oil exploration, mining, dam building, logging, climate change, military bombing ranges, tourism and commercial development.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people
Of course, not all Sámi herd reindeer. Norwegian Sámi are often coastal fishermen, or, if they live in other areas, earn their livelihoods farming, freshwater fishing, forestry or mining. If they live in bigger cities and towns, many participate as do other Scandinavians in professional, cultural, and academic jobs. However, many Sámi still live in small villages in the high Arctic.
RELIGION
The traditional Sámi spiritual practices and beliefs are based on shamanism, but varied from region to region. The original religion is generally considered to be Animism, meaning that all significant natural objects (such as animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess a soul. Therefore, the Sámi believed in many spirits, and commonly emphasize animal spirits, including bear worship and spirits such as the Haldi who watched over nature.
Considering the location and the nature of their existence, they were very in touch with the natural environment. Some Sámi people worshiped a thunder god, a forest spirit, and a daughter of the green fertile earth. Their symbol of the world tree, reaching up the the North Star is similar to ideas found in Finnish mythology.
Shamanism is important in non-Christian Sámi society, and some shamanistic healing rites are still performed. However, today Finnish and Russian Sámi belong to the Russian Orthodox faith. Most others are Lutheran, but the most northern of the Sámi communities have a strong evangelical congregationalism.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Like many indigenous peoples in the world, the Sámi have not fared well under the domination of stronger regimes which, in Scandinavia, were those peoples who migrated from northern Europe (the blonde haired, blue-eyed Scandinavians) and founded the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden.
The Sámi have a complex relationship with the Scandinavians. “The Scandinavian countries periodically tried to assimilate the Sámi, and the use of the Sámi languages in schools and public life was long forbidden. In the second half of the 20th century, however, attention was drawn to the problems of the Sámi minority, which became more assertive in efforts to maintain its traditional society and culture through the use of Sámi in schools and the protection of reindeer pastures. In each country there are Sámi political and cultural societies, and there are a few Sámi newspapers and radio programs.” www.britannica.com/Sámi
“The Sámi are still coping with the cultural consequences of language and culture loss caused by generations of Sámi children being taken to missionary or state-run boarding schools and the legacy of laws that were created to deny the Sámi rights (e.g., to their beliefs, language, land and to the practice of traditional livelihoods). The Sámi are experiencing cultural and environmental threats, including: oil exploration, mining, dam building, logging, climate change, military bombing ranges, tourism and commercial development.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people
Natural resource extraction
In more recent history, Norwegian and Swedish authorities essentially ignored the Sámi and did not interfere much in their way of life, even though the northern parts of the countries were colonized to engage in an export-driven fisheries industry prior to the 19th century. They showed little interest in the harsh, non-arable land populated by reindeer-herding Sámi.
As it turns out, Sápmi is rich in natural resources including metals, oil, and natural gas. Activities pursuing these resources have caused conflicts with reindeer grazing and calving areas and other aspects of traditional Sámi life. In some cases, the mining locations infringe on ancient Sámi lands which are designated as ecologically protected areas.
The Sámi Parliament has opposed and rejected mining projects in the Finnmark area, and demanded that resources and mineral exploration benefit local Sámi communities and populations, as the proposed mines are in Sámi lands and will affect their ability to maintain their traditional livelihood.
THE SAMI PARLIAMENTS
While the Sámi peoples are governed by the laws of the country they live in, the constitutions of Finland, Sweden and Norway all recognize certain rights of the Sámi. The Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian constitutions all recognize certain rights of the Sámi, and those of Norway and Finland constitutionally recognize their status as an indigenous people.
All three countries have Sámi Parliaments, established by the country’s legislature, with a national assembly elected every four years, an executive board and a committee system, and are housed in their own buildings. They do not self-govern nor have a legislative function, but serve as consultative bodies whose purpose is to promote and preserve cultural self-determination, covering matters such as language, traditional livelihood, land rights and social wellbeing. And apparently they have a strong influence.
They also provide a voice for the Sámi in decisions affecting their communities. They have their basis in international recognition of the rights of indigenous people by the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 27) and the ILO’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169). The latter includes provisions about states’ obligations to consult indigenous peoples and consider their customs when applying national laws.
They focus on cultural, social, and economic issues relevant to the Sami community, and have some limited self-governing powers, primarily in cultural and educational matters.
▼ Norway Sámi Parliament building ▼ Members of the Norway Parliament
Source of Images: www.lifeinnorway.net
In more recent history, Norwegian and Swedish authorities essentially ignored the Sámi and did not interfere much in their way of life, even though the northern parts of the countries were colonized to engage in an export-driven fisheries industry prior to the 19th century. They showed little interest in the harsh, non-arable land populated by reindeer-herding Sámi.
As it turns out, Sápmi is rich in natural resources including metals, oil, and natural gas. Activities pursuing these resources have caused conflicts with reindeer grazing and calving areas and other aspects of traditional Sámi life. In some cases, the mining locations infringe on ancient Sámi lands which are designated as ecologically protected areas.
The Sámi Parliament has opposed and rejected mining projects in the Finnmark area, and demanded that resources and mineral exploration benefit local Sámi communities and populations, as the proposed mines are in Sámi lands and will affect their ability to maintain their traditional livelihood.
THE SAMI PARLIAMENTS
While the Sámi peoples are governed by the laws of the country they live in, the constitutions of Finland, Sweden and Norway all recognize certain rights of the Sámi. The Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian constitutions all recognize certain rights of the Sámi, and those of Norway and Finland constitutionally recognize their status as an indigenous people.
All three countries have Sámi Parliaments, established by the country’s legislature, with a national assembly elected every four years, an executive board and a committee system, and are housed in their own buildings. They do not self-govern nor have a legislative function, but serve as consultative bodies whose purpose is to promote and preserve cultural self-determination, covering matters such as language, traditional livelihood, land rights and social wellbeing. And apparently they have a strong influence.
They also provide a voice for the Sámi in decisions affecting their communities. They have their basis in international recognition of the rights of indigenous people by the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 27) and the ILO’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169). The latter includes provisions about states’ obligations to consult indigenous peoples and consider their customs when applying national laws.
They focus on cultural, social, and economic issues relevant to the Sami community, and have some limited self-governing powers, primarily in cultural and educational matters.
▼ Norway Sámi Parliament building ▼ Members of the Norway Parliament
Source of Images: www.lifeinnorway.net
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JUST SAYIN’
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sámi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_people
https://swedenherald.com/article/the-Sámi-people-the-indigenous-people-of-scandinavia
https://www.artofnorway.org/facts-about-the-Sámi-culture/
https://historyrise.com/the-Sámi-people-study-guide/
https://nlsnorwegian.no/the-Sámi-culture-an-insight-into-norways-indigenous-heritage/
https://nordnorge.com/en/topic/the-Sámi-are-the-indigenous-people-of-the-north/
https://www.campervannorway.com/blog/norway-culture/Sámi-people
https://goranus.com/
https://www.beneathnorthernlights.com/Sámi-gods-goddessess-and-mythical-entities/
https://www.holidays-lapland.com/en/post/the-myths-of-the-Sámi-and-the-magic-of-the-northern-lights
https://www.valofinland.com/the-legends-of-lapland-myths-and-folklore-explained/
https://norgeguide.com/en/oppdag-norge-guide/kultur-historie-og-tradisjoner/Sámisk-kultur/Sámisk-mytologi-og-religiose-tro-spiritualitet-sjamanisme-og-myter/https://websites.nku.edu/~humed1/native-nations/instructional-resources/Sámi-of-scandinavia.htm
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/the-Sámi-side-of-tromso-norway/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1mi_shamanism
https://theconversation.com/ancient-dna-sheds-light-on-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-first-scandinavians-89703
https://ia803107.us.archive.org/30/items/confrontation-matanat-95-114/confrontation-matanat-4-12.pdf
https://www.nordicpolicycentre.org.au/sami_parliaments
Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mortsan/48033905/sizes/l/in/photostream/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13284191
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OiTqQHi78VE/Vr9XvfSem2I/AAAAAAACFl4/ew252mzGyLY/s1600/Sámi%2Bpeople%2B%252814%2529.jpg
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/window-traditional-Sámi-culture-reindeer-and-worldview-003493
https://www.jtgtravel.com/
https://www.hca.westernsydney.edu.au/gmjau/?p=3467
http://french.abrahams-legacy.org/scan-migration.html
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