Saami

I

Introduction

Saami or Lapps, northern European people inhabiting chiefly the Arctic and subarctic areas of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and western Russia. The Saami (or Sámi) were previously known as Lapps but this word is offensive to them. Altogether, the Saami number perhaps 80,000 people. They are divided into several sub-groups according to language, geographical location, and other cultural distinctions but are united by the traditional nomadic hunting lifestyle.

II

History

The earliest Saami presence in Arctic Europe pre-dates that of Scandinavians, Finns, and Russians. The Saami entered the region from the east several thousand years ago as nomadic hunters and fishermen. Eventually some Saami stopped hunting and developed a form of reindeer herding similar to that practised by many peoples in Siberia. During the past several centuries, some Saami have also become settled farmers and deep-sea fishermen. More recently, Saami have entered other occupations as well, from teaching and business to government. At the present time, however, about 7,000 Saami are still dependent on reindeer, herding some 450,000 head of livestock.

III

Language and Religion

Estimates of the number of Saami who speak Saami languages today vary from more than a third to two-thirds of the population. In addition to this, Saami speak the dominant language of their respective region: Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, or Russian. The 11 Saami languages form a single branch of the Finno-Ugric languages, related to Finnish and Hungarian; some are extinct or endangered. The main Saami language is Northern Saami, spoken most widely in Norway. Traditionally, shamanism was the sole Saami religion, while today shamanistic practices are overshadowed by participation in national Churches mostly affiliated to Lutheranism.

IV

Music, Arts, and Crafts

There are several traditional Saami song styles, the most well known being the joik (or yoik). The joik was a religious song originally sung (or chanted) during shamanistic ceremonies. The singer was traditionally unaccompanied but today is sometimes accompanied by a tambourine-like drum or combined with modern musical styles. Many joiks are on the subject of animals who endanger the reindeer, while others are about people or the landscape.

Traditional Saami clothing is brightly coloured with primary colours as well as green and white. Although Saami originally wore clothing made from reindeer skins, they have since learned to spin and dye wool, hence the brightly coloured traditional tunics and dresses called gakti. These are decorated with embroidery and beadwork, and belts and decorative bands are woven in bright colours. Some Saami today sell craftwork for a living. As well as patterned woven belts and bands and carved wooden and metal items, Saami arts and crafts are often made from reindeer products including leather, antlers, and the sinews.