Sami people
Sami people are an indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula within the Murmansk Oblast of Russia. The Sami have historically been known in English as Lapps or Laplanders, but these terms are perceived as derogatory by some people, and 'Sami' has become more commonly used.
History[edit | edit source]
The Sami have been living in the northern regions of Scandinavia and Russia for at least 5,000 years, according to archaeological evidence. Their history is complex and involves periods of independence, domination by other groups, and cultural exchange. The Sami were recognized as an indigenous people in Norway in 1990, and in Sweden and Finland in the 1990s.
Culture[edit | edit source]
The Sami culture is rich and varied, with traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations. The Sami are known for their joik, a unique form of vocal music, and their traditional clothing, called gákti. They also have a strong tradition of storytelling, with tales often featuring the mythical creatures of Sami folklore.
Language[edit | edit source]
The Sami languages are a group of Uralic languages spoken by the Sami people. There are nine different Sami languages, some of which are mutually unintelligible. The languages are divided into two groups: Eastern and Western. The Sami languages are endangered, with some having very few speakers left.
Livelihood[edit | edit source]
Traditionally, the Sami have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, the best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Today, some Sami people still practice these traditional activities, alongside modern occupations.
Rights and Representation[edit | edit source]
The Sami people have their own parliaments in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, known as the Sami Parliament. These institutions work to promote Sami rights and interests, both nationally and internationally. Despite these efforts, the Sami continue to face challenges, including threats to their land and cultural rights.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Overview map of the peoples of Europe | |
|---|---|
Size and geographic distribution of the 87 peoples of Europe, according to Pan & Pfeil (2003).[1]
Font size reflects population size (groups smaller than 2 million not to scale) Groups not shown due to lack of geographic concentration: Romani (3.8 million), Jews (1.3 million), Karaim (4,600). Small Baltic Finns, Volga Finns and Caucasian groups (<0.2 million) not shown in map: Votes, Ludes, Setos, Võros; Balkars, Karachays, Laks, Lazs, Nogais, Rutuls, Tabasarans, Tats, Tsakhurs. | |
[[Galicians iards]]
|
- ↑ (a breakdown by country of these 87 groups is given in Table 5, pp. 17–31.)
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