Who Are The Sami?

Summary

The Sami people, indigenous to northern Europe, have a rich history of survival and culture in the harsh Arctic environment. Known for their reindeer herding and skiing, they have faced colonization, cultural assimilation, and environmental challenges. Today, they fight for their rights and the impact of climate change on their land, with a resurgence of cultural practices like Yoiking and the use of the Sami flag as a symbol of identity.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Sami people are indigenous to the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia's Kola Peninsula, known as Sapmi.
• 🏔️ Sapmi is characterized by extreme conditions with long periods of polar night in winter and the midnight sun in summer.
• 📅 The Sami have a history that dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their presence and culture from rock art dating back to 4200BCE.
• 🐂 Reindeer are central to Sami culture, providing them with food, clothing, and shelter, and even influencing their creation myths.
• 🏞️ The Sami are traditionally nomadic, following the seasonal migrations of reindeer herds across vast landscapes.
• 🔍 The Sami have a deep connection to nature, practicing animism and considering themselves part of the environment.
• 🎶 Yoiking is a unique form of Sami song that carries personal and spiritual significance, often used to express the essence of a person, place, or animal.
• 🧙‍♂️ The Sami practiced shamanism, with noaidi (shamans) mediating between the physical world and the spirit world.
• 🌐 The Sami have faced historical challenges including colonization, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression.
• 💪 Despite these challenges, the Sami continue to fight for their rights and cultural preservation, with modern initiatives like the Sámi Act of 1987 and the establishment of Sámi parliaments.

Q & A

What is the significance of the land of Sapmi to the Sami people?

Sapmi is the homeland of the Sami people, an indigenous group residing in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia's Kola Peninsula. It is a region characterized by extreme weather conditions with long periods of darkness in winter and the midnight sun in summer, covering an area larger than countries like Germany and Japan.

How has the Sami culture been shaped by their environment?

The Sami culture has been deeply influenced by the harsh Arctic environment. They have thrived in conditions with temperatures dropping to -30 degrees Celsius and have developed a way of life centered around reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting, adapting to the seasonal migrations of wildlife and the extreme changes in daylight.

What is the importance of the reindeer to the Sami?

Reindeer are central to Sami culture and livelihood, serving as a source of food, clothing, and shelter. The Sami have a deep spiritual connection with reindeer, even featuring in their creation myths, and have developed a complex vocabulary to describe different reindeer characteristics and behaviors.

How did the Sami people utilize the concept of the Siida in their society?

The Siida was the basic social unit of Sami society, consisting of multiple families who made decisions democratically and collectively owned resources within their territory. It played a crucial role in organizing cooperation for large-scale hunting projects and ensuring the sustainable use of resources.

What role did shamans, known as Noaidi, play in Sami culture?

Noaidi were shamans in Sami culture who acted as priests and doctors. They were believed to have the ability to travel between different worlds, communicate with spirits, predict weather and animal migrations, and assist in finding lost items or animals. They used drums, chanting, and mushrooms to enter trances.

Can you explain the significance of Yoiks in Sami tradition?

Yoiks are a traditional form of Sami song that carries personal and spiritual significance. They are often performed solo, with or without words, and can represent people, places, animals, and landscapes. Yoiks serve as a form of sound portraiture and can preserve history, folklore, and personalities across generations.

How did the Sami's interaction with the Vikings influence Norse mythology?

The Sami's expertise in hunting, skiing, and their shamanic practices likely influenced Norse mythology, with characters like the skiing, reindeer-chasing Weyland potentially having Sami origins. The Sami's magical reputation led to records of Norse sailors buying wind from them.

What challenges did the Sami face during the colonization of Sapmi?

The Sami faced numerous challenges during colonization, including being forced north, losing their lands to settlers, and being demanded tribute from multiple states. They also experienced cultural erosion with the banning of Yoiking, the destruction of sacred sites, and the forced assimilation in boarding schools.

How did the Alta River controversy unite the Sami and lead to cultural changes?

The Alta River controversy, where the Norwegian government planned to build a dam that would flood a Sami village and destroy grazing lands, united the Sami in protest. This led to the Sámi Act of 1987 recognizing the Sami as indigenous people and the establishment of Sámi parliaments, sparking a cultural renaissance and the revival of Sami language and traditions.

What are the current challenges faced by the Sami people?

The Sami face challenges such as climate change, which is affecting their traditional lands and threatening the reindeer with extinction. They also contend with large corporations impacting their environment through mining, fishing, and logging, leading to the destruction of reindeer grazing areas and the loss of significant lichen-rich lands.