Samis of
Northern Europe

For about 2,500 years, the Sami people, previously known as Lapps, have inhabited the northern Europe regions of Fenno-Scandinavia and Russia. With more than 100,000 of them scattered in regions of four countries – Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia, where the occupy portions of the Kola Peninsula, the Samis are considered  among the largest indigenous ethnic groups in the continent.

Most Samis are found in Norway where at least 60,000 of them live, with another 20,000 estimated in Sweden, Finland has about 7,000 Samis and another 2,000 in Russia.

The Samis are the focus of attention this week when they will celebrate   their National Day on Saturday... It is one of the less than 10 occasions when the Sami flag flies high in the region.  Some people believe the flag colors consist of the colors of the flag of the Scandinavian countries, its ring representing unity. Others think the colors represent the hues of traditional Sami clothing with the ring – as a reminder of the sun —  symbolizing the four elements.

The Samis’ ancestral lands span a vast area across the Nordic countries. They live through coastal fishing, sheep and reindeer herding and fur trapping with  about 10 percent of them leading semi-nomadic lives. Almost 3,000 people are legally engaged today in reindeer herding.

The Sami culture ahs endured through the centuries – as early as 98 A.D. reported some accounts. It existed long before the Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian or even the Viking Culture had developed.

The Samis were eventually threatened in their domain in wider parts of northern Scandinavia with the coming of colonization toward the end of the 1600s with settlers taking over ranches and other farm lots as well as hunting expeditions.

Today, documents said, the governments of Norway, Sweden and Finland have initiated efforts to build up Sami cultural institutions and promote the culture and language of the people  apparently to save them from obliteration and make up for past repressive intrusion, which included Viking and northern European traveler-traders.

The Sami culture – which includes literature, clothing and music – has been carved and integrated in the northern European way of life. The musical cultural tradition, called joik, for example, is widely known. It is sung slowly and deep in the throat, sounding deep with emotional content, lie sorry and angel. Joiks can be dedicated to nature, people and special occasion. While often melancholic, it can also be yours. Traditionally, it was sung a capella but today, musical instruments are already used.

Contemporary Sami writers have published novels and poetry collections either in Sami language or other dialects in the region. The Sami language is characterized by regional locations – with at least nine areas speaking the dialects.

The traditional Sami garb is called doudji, a handicraft that developed during their nomadic life and accenting the belief that an object should first serve a purpose more than being decorative. Duodji making is a  major source of livelihood for the people.

Sami festivals are celebrated to foster appreciation of their history and way of life. Along these festive occasions are Easter festivals held before the springtime reindeer move to coastal areas. The traditional activities are combined with modern events, like snowmobile races.

Because Samis, like other indigenous groups all over the world, are recognized by international laws, their rights respected and protected, governments in the region have legislated measures to further protect them and their rights. Conventions are regularly held, too, in keeping with efforts to protect their indigenous culture.

The Sami Day celebration on Saturday will once more symbolize the people’s unity ac ross national boundaries. The occasion commemorates the first Sami Congress held on Feb. 6, 1917 which laid the foundation of the development of cross-border cooperation among Sami people. On Sami Day, the flag will be flown from the Parliaments of the Scandinavian countries to demonstrate solidarity with the ethnic community.

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