Sami - Sápmi a people in the north
Ranked #796 in Culture & Society, #19,703 overall
Sápmi is the proper name for Sami or Laplanders
Original people of the north. A story worth telling.
The Laplanders are Scandinavia's aboriginal people. They were nomads who wandered freely over all of Scandinavia with their reindeer herds. They brought their own culture, traditions and language.
Today they live in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
The estimated number of Sami is 50,000-75,000. Of these 15,000-20,000 live in Sweden, 30,000-50,000 in Norway, 4,000-5,000 in Finland and about 2,000 in Russia. During the last few decades there has been a significant emigration of Sami from the traditional Sami areas, which means that many Sami today live outside this area. About 20% of the Sami in Sweden live outside the districts of Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland.
More info about Sweden here:Sweden - Headquaters
Scroll down for photos! The costumes on this photo are from JUKKAS
Contents at a Glance
The story of the Sapmi
Today only about 10% of the Sami in Sweden make a living by reindeer herding (between 2,300 and 2,700 persons). Nevertheless reindeer herding is considered a fundamental part of the Sami culture and according to Swedish law can only be carried on by Sami. Before the Sami culture was incorporated into the Swedish society, the Sami lived in small units (the sijdda) with limited cooperation between them and without a uniting institution or symbol. Despite this, the Sami have maintained a strong ethnic identity, even though already several hundred years ago they were formally incorporated in the social structures of their respective countries.
From the 1950s the Sami society has gone through a revolutionary development. In just a few decades the scattered Sami population has developed a collective identity, a uniting network and a political sense of belonging. Today the Sami consider themselves one people with a common origin. The area where the Sami live and traditionally have lived is considered a Sami nation and is called Sápmi. In each of the Nordic countries today there is a Sami parliament, the purpose of which is to increase the Sami participation and influence in the democratic process.
Info from www.fjallen.nu - scroll down for the link
The Sami of Northern Europe
The geography of the people's homeland-the climate, the landforms, the flora and fauna, and so forth-is elaborated on, with a focus on how strong an influence environment has on their lives. Other topics include the history, economy, culture, and lifestyles of the group today.
The Sami of Northern Europe (First Peoples)
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Describes the history, modern and traditional cultural practices and economies, geographic background, and ongoing oppression and struggles of the Sami.
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Hundreds of dead animals
Almost 300 rein deers drowned when the ice on the lake Kutjaure Jokkmok, broke.These deers have been crossing the lake for many years, the Sapmi rein deer owners, carefully checked the thickness before they allowed the 3000 aimal herd to cross. For unknown reason, the deers that had already reachd the opposite side started to turn back again. They caused panic in the herd and the ice caved in.
Now the debate is going on where to bury all these animals.
The owners economy has suffered so much and the terrible feeling of helpnessless watching the scared animals will remain in their minds.
Mari Boine Persen sings beautiful Sami song
She has more songs posted on Youtube
curated content from YouTube
Sami People: Traditions in Transitions
This volume is perhaps the only one written from the Sámi perspective that is available in English. Beautifully illustrated with color photos, historic maps and illustrations, The Sámi People situates the Sámi within a modern context with a rich appreciation of their ancient history. Color photographs juxtapose "traditional" Sámi dress and lifestyle with modern art and handicrafts demonstrating how the Sámi have interpreted twenty-first century life.
The Sami People: Traditions in Transitions
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Book about Sami people in northern Europe
5 stars!
Not only has Virginia Mattson-Schultz included charts and explanations of the foreign terms you will need in many different languages of Northern Europe, but she has also listed the most helpful web sites and places to begin your search. The author comments, "Since many Sami-Americans are not aware of their ethnic background, I talk about sorting out the Sami identity from the identity of the countries in which they live; however, it is my hope that my book will be a help for anyone researching family in the north of these particular countries."
Far Northern Connections: Researching Your Sami (and Other) Ancestors in Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia
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Are you just beginning to research your Northern European roots? Perhaps you are just now discovering that your family may have been Sami? This complete book will get you started on your journey to uncover your ancestors from the far North.
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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National anthem of the Sapmi
With beautiful photos
The national day for the Sapmi is February 6
The joint flag dates back to 1986. It was then that it was approved by the Nordic Sami Council at a conference in re. The flag was designed by Astrid Bhl from Skibotn in Norway, and neither the colours nor the symbols are there by chance.
The circle is a symbol for both the sun and the moon. The sun circle is red and the moon circle is blue. The flag's colours - red, blue, green and yellow - are the same as in the traditional Sami costume, the kolt.
The joint flag dates back to 1986. It was then that it was approved by the Nordic Sami Council at a conference in re. The flag was designed by Astrid Bhl from Skibotn in Norway, and neither the colours nor the symbols are there by chance.
The circle is a symbol for both the sun and the moon. The sun circle is red and the moon circle is blue. The flag's colours - red, blue, green and yellow - are the same as in the traditional Sami costume, the kolt.
curated content from YouTube
Sámediggi/Sametinget,
17th of May 2009 is election day for the Sapmi. Every 4th year it is election. There were very few changes after this election.The Sami Parliament in Sweden was established in 1993 as a publicly elected body and a state authority, with the overall task of working to achieve a living Sami culture. The Sami Parliament is not a body for self-government. The publicly elected component comprises 31 members who meet three times a year in the Plenary Assembly. Only the President is a full-time employee of the Parliament.
The Hunting and Fishing Sami is the largest political party in the Sami Assembly. Democracy and equality are central themes in our party programme. This means that we aim for a Sami society where all are treated equally and where basic human rights are respected. This includes the right to speak your language, the right to work in all aspects of the Sami economy and the right to retain and strengthen cultural traditions.
The Sami people are however treated differently depending on whether or not they own reindeer and are members of the local economic association (Sameby). Membership brings privileges and economic opportunities that are denied other Sami. The Sameby system was set up by the Swedish state during the 20th century and the organisations that exist today were created in 1971. The state gives members the certain rights, rights which are not shared by other Sami.
The association and it's members may:
1. Run reindeer business and own reindeer
2. Hunt and fish in areas where reindeer business is active (25% of Sweden's surface area)
3. Take any wood for household needs
4. Take out timber for constructing own building
5. Build anywhere, when in conjunction with reindeer business
6. Use vehicles anywhere, when in conjunction with reindeer business
7. Receive funding from special Sami Fund
8. Receive up to 95% funding from EU
9. Collects ca 90% of all economic funding paid out by Sami Assembly and the Swedish state
Sami and the wind mills
a problem
Today, Sept 2008 the first wind mills are erected by Swevind, on the land where the Sami need to bring their rein deers over the winter. The windmills will be followed by many more. There will eventually be 1000 up and running.Our Samis have had access to the land for their rein deers for centuries. It is even in the law that they have this vast land to let loose their animals on.
Now the land owners and power suppliers want to put up many wind mills on this very land. This will create a problem first at the construction and later about who is allowed to use the land now.
During the construktion time there will be about 400 kilometers of new roads built, where about 200 000 full loaded trucks will drive in estimated 10 years! The rain deer owners will not be able to use that land all that time.
Later when the issue about who will use the land, the sami has a demand to be paid a cost like rental. This problem is not solved yet. The request is now with the authoroties in the Swedish government.
Reindeer Management
The management of reindeer herds in northernmost Europe has been dramatically altered by changes in the environment, largely the result of human activities. This volume investigates the conditions upon which human-reindeer relations have been based, as well as those necessary for future reindeer management.
Reindeer Management in Northernmost Europe: Linking Practical and Scientific Knowledge in Social-Ecological Systems (Ecological Studies)
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The results of process-oriented field and laboratory studies by scientists are efficaciously supported by those from research involving herders and their experience-based knowledge. In Northern Fennoscandia and Northwest Russia the issue is not just the conservation of the natural environment of reindeer, but also the survival of the Sámi, the northern indigenous people who herd them.
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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The 7th of February - the National day of the Sapmi
In many places all over Sweden, Norway and Finland, the Sapmi Sami people were celebrating their national day on February the 7th.
In Stockholm there was a marked where hand craft was sold and bought.
There was also a list passed along for the Swedish government to return the remainings of dead ones in the past. Now they are kept in Museum and the Sami want to transfer the bones to a Sapmi Museum called Ájtte Museum
A minority people
swedish travel guide
The experiences of the Sami are not unlike those of many other ethnic groups who today live within different national borders. It is difficult to point to the first time when the contact between the growing national state and the indigenous people took place. The Sami and Scandinavians have had contact and benefited from this relationship during a long time. Compared with other indigenous peoples, the Sami today enjoy a strong position.Sweden is a democratic state that respects basic human rights. The Sami have the same rights as the rest of the population in Sweden and continue to live in the areas they have traditionally used, even though the land for the traditional way of life is shrinking because of the exploitation of raw materials, industrialization and other such uses.
However, the Sami face difficulties as a minority people in a majority society. On a structural level the legal position of the Sami has weakened throughout history and the possibilities of affecting their own life situation has continually decreased.
The Sami are the indigenous people of Sweden. This means that they lived here before Sweden established its national boundaries. The Swedish Parliament has also acknowledged the Sami as indigenous people. Indigenous people are defined as people who are descended from ethnic groups who lived in the country at the time present-day national borders were established and who totally or partially have maintained their social, economic, cultural and political institutions. The deciding factor is not whether these people have historically lived in a certain area longer than others. The fact that their social and cultural situation is special is of greater importance.
When you need help
In Swedish for Sami people
Sofia Jannok - singing in Sami language
Jazzy pop from a Sapmi girl.The critic is so positive and the reviewers really commending her.
The name of her new record is "Ássogattis - By the embers"
She can sing in many languages but likes the Sapmi since childhood.
This summer Sofia Jannok is touring in Sweden and Europe.
Lapland gift shop on line
Buy a very special gift
Cloudberry Jam with Cognac
Sami carvings
Gifts
Sami carvings
Gifts
- Lapland gift shop
- Many personal gifts. Hats, carvings and other
- Windspeaker
- Amazing that the Sapmi magazine Samefolket has an English link to the Canadian Windspeaker.
Aboriginal people act together!
Access the complete current edition.
This issue will only be available until
the next issue is published.
- Fantastic photos from Lapland
- Photographer
Samuel Arnfjell
browse around and enjoy Lapland - Stefan Felten
Thank you for your comment (scroll down) I found so many lovely photos and other nice words. I recommend to have a look at this!- The Sapmi vs the state
- Court proceedings have been common throughout history, and the aims from Samic viewpoint is to reclaim territories used earlier in history. Due to a larger defeat in 1996, one siidas has introduced a sponsorship "Reindeer Godfather" concept to raise their economical funds for further battles in courts. These "internal conflicts" are usually conflicts between non-Sami land owners and Reindeer owners.
The photo is Per-Henrik Bergkvist, with his herd
swedish travel guide - Lapland postcard
- NOTE! Now with over 2000 photos! I am pleased to introduces my new photo web shop. As a new user and costumer you can buy new and old photographic work from my travel and expeditions in Swedish Lapland and Norway. I am also pleased to inform you all that the website also is in English.
- Sameland
- Quote from the site:
Two thousand years ago, the Sami inhabited all of present-day Finland. They have also lived in coastal areas around the Gulf of Bothnia, in the inland of Sweden and all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, from central Norway north to the White Sea, in what is now Russia.
The oldest archaeological discoveries were found along the coast of the Arctic Ocean in northern Norway and are about 10,000 years old. Evidence of later human habitation has been found throughout Sápmi. It is likely that these are the remains of a people who later came to be called Sami.
SMS from Soppero by Ann-Helén Laestadius
book that won a prize
SMS from Sopperi is a lovely warm story about a girl that lives with her Mother in Solna, close to Stockholm. One day she suddenly gets a SMS from a boy in the Sapmi language.The message is:
Hej, din kusin Kristin visade en bild på dig och jag var tvungen att skicka ett sms. Hörde att du kommer upp snart. Då kanske vi ses. H.
That is like: Hi, your cousine Kristin showed me a photo of you and I had to send a SMS. Heard that you will come up soon. May be we can meet. H.
H stands for Henrik
Order the book here
If you can understand Swedish here is where you can get this lovely book. The bok got a prize for best book in a competition called: How it is to be a young sapmi today.
National Minorities of Finland, The Sámi
Written for Virtual Finland by Frank Horn, professor
The SámiThe Sámi are an indigenous people living in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. Known widely in the past as Lapps, the term "Lapp" is now considered derogatory by many Sámi. The Sámi have their own language, of which there are several variations, and their own culture, way of life and identity. Common history, traditions, livelihoods and customs unite the Sámi living in different countries. In total, they number 75,000 to 100,000. It is estimated that the current number of Sámi in Finland is about 7,500 or 0.15% of the population of Finland. The majority of them, some 4,000 persons, still live in their native area, known as the Sámi Homeland (Sámiid ruovttuguovlu), which is constituted by the three northernmost municipalities in the Province of Lapland, namely Utsjoki, Inari, and Enontekiö plus the northern part of the municipality of Sodankylä. Only in Utsjoki do they constitute a majority of the local residents. Overall, the Sámi constitute approximately one third of the residents within the Sámi Homeland. This area is of relevance for the implementation of the Sámi Language Act as well as the Act on the Sámi Parliament.
Continue reading here:
About Sami in Finland
A link to a Sami/Swedish company for Jeans
They will do a special test
For 6 months they will have Sami people use their jeans to see where they will be weared.
- Denim Demon
- We have two styles out as we speak. Aajja and Aahka, which means Grandma and Granpa in Sami language. The Sami heritage is a true indigenous culture which dates back over 10 000 years. These people inhabit the very north part of four countries, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. Our family is a part of the Sami culture and growing up we used to spend a lot of time at our Grand parents´s house up in Stensjön, the country of Jämtland. These names are a reflection on where we come from and a tribute to our heritage.
Denim Demon is going to let 6 Sami people wear the jeans for six months and then after an evalutation of the wear will be done and a jeans collection presented.
Quoted from the homepage
Sami Drum
Link to information about Sami and sami drums
The drum may be decorated with various symbols of the divine and the mundane, in a certain pattern for each shaman, and as a part of its use they put a ring of brass or silver on the skin, drum, and do divination from how the ring moves over the skin.
- Sami drum symbols
- Historically, drums figure heavily in ritualistic activities. The beat of a drum attracts attention and invites some type of physical response. Many images depicting religious or spiritual behavior among indigenous peoples include drums. This holds true when examining the traditional Sámi.
- Facts about Sami
- Sami policy has never been directed toward the establishment of a separate Sami nation state. Instead, it has concentrated more on establishing rights that will assure the survival and growth of the Sami and their culture in their own ancestral areas of settlement.
swedish travel guide
Art of Sapmi
For your walls
Lenses about Sweden and our Earth
The sami incluced are in jepardy
Read about the Sapmi´s
5 stars for all of them!
A new Swedish Movie - VARG
Meaning Wolf in English
I just have to tell you that a new movie is made in Sweden. It is about the Sápmi on the border between Sweden and Norway and the dilemma they have about killing a Wolf or not. It is really a current event of killing of a wolf in Sweden. The Sapmis are defending their reindeers.The movie is still in Swedish and Sápmi language but I will inform you when it is relieced in English too. The Critics say it is a very serious and trustworhy movie.
Karin Baer, a Sapmi woman here on a foto.
Sapmi you tube
Different sami videos
Democracy in Spmi - The Sami Parliament
Beautiful pictures from northern Norway
Beautiful pictures from northern Norway
curated content from YouTube
Read more about the Sápmi
Links to information
swedish travel guide
- samer
- This is the most wonderful link about Sápmi in English. This is the official hompage made by the Sami. You can read about the culture, find out about the background to their lives and - see these wonderful, beautiful photos. I have posted some of them here on this lens but there are more.
© Samiskt Informationscentrum
Sametinget
Box 582
831 27
ÖSTERSUND
tel: +46 63 15 08 70
info@samer.se
Inez Svonni Fjällström - Walk with them
- Together with the Sápmi people
- Radio station
- Click on the words "lyssna direkt" if you want to hear the Sami language. I hear it every day becuse the Swedish National Television has the new in Sami!
- National Parks
- The beauty is breath taking. Enjoy these peaceful photos. This is the link I took facts from.
- Photos
- Photos to look at online
- Link about Lapland
- There is so much to learn. This is a lovely link about the north. In Swedish it is spelled Lappland
Intuitive - Here is the book you mentioned!
thank you
Something about them really impressed me, like a long forgotten memory. Last year I read an interesting travel book that really gave me a good picture of the modern life of the Sami. It's called The Palace of the Snow Queen: Winter Travels in Lapland by Barbara Sjoholm.
The Palace of the Snow Queen: Winter Travels in Lapland
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Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Please tell me what you like about this lens
I enjoyed making it
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skiesgreen
Feb 1, 2012 @ 5:18 pm | delete
- Back with a blessing for this wonderful tribute lens to a lovely people. Featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen 2012 and also on Australia from Its Beginning. Hugs
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Tipi
Jan 8, 2012 @ 9:12 pm | delete
- I must have not been an angel when I was here before because I certainly would have blessed this wonderful gem....no time like the present!
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Einar_A
Dec 27, 2011 @ 9:06 am | delete
- Thank you for this fascinating lens about the history of the Sami people. I am especially interested in their ancient crafts and use of bone, antler and wood to make so many of the things they needed.
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fugeecat
Nov 7, 2011 @ 8:18 pm | delete
- This was a really interesting read for me. I didn't know anything about these people.
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rangiiria
Oct 25, 2011 @ 6:09 pm | delete
- This is a great lens I'm always facinated with people and their traditions.
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Emergency telephone number for Sami Sapmi
Den samiska jourtelefonen är till för alla samer som behöver någon att prata med om jobbiga saker i livet - med en annan same och på sitt eget modersmål. Den som ringer journummret och söker hjälp behöver inte säga vem man är och den som svarar är också anonym. Numret till den samiska hjälplinjen är 063-10 12 30
Jourtelefonen är öppen varje fredag och söndag, 20.00 -24.00.
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I am a Swedish lady. Many of my lenses are about Sweden, Swedish places and Swedish stuff. My age is around 23 on the inside and a little more...
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Lapland
swedish travel guide
Lapland (Bradt Travel Guide)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
Located within the Arctic Circles Lapland spans the outermost fringes of Scandinavia and is a booming arena for adventure holidays and activities.
