This is the culture of the Sami (Lapland): curiosities and traditions

One of the aspects that aroused the most interest in my first trip to Lapland, north of Norway y Finland, many years ago, was to discover the sami people and his activity as reindeer herders.

It is truly surprising to see that in the most north Europe resides a community that, due to its traditional lifestyle and clothing, in some way reminds us of the indians of north america.

Now in my most recent trip to northern norway I have had the opportunity to get to know better the Sami culture during a winter activity carried out in kautokeino, not far from the city of High, in the region of Finnmark.

Winter trips to the Arctic area of ​​Norway are characterized by the various tourist activities in which you will participate, from doing snowmobile tours or for see northern lights, to dog sledding.

In this regard, here you have information about offers to see the northern lights in Norway.

Curiosities and traditions of the Sami

But you should know that in the surroundings of kautokeino You can participate in an activity whose purpose, apart from entertainment, is to deepen your knowledge of the aforementioned culture of the Lapp population.

In the not far away city of karasjok you have the possibility of visiting the building of the so-called Sami Parliament, place where the political activity of this community takes place.

But it is in the small town of kautokeino, with less than 3.000 inhabitants, where most of the Sami cultural activity.

kautokeino It is located in the middle of two traditional routes of Sami migration, whose first community was established in that area in the 16th century.

In that place there was a bloody revolt in 1852. Samis against Norwegian settlers, which led the Norwegian government to intensify the integration of the sami people in Norwegian society.

Currently, 90 percent of the population of kautokeino Its mother tongue is Sami, and in this city are the headquarters of several Sami cultural institutions, from the Sami National Theater to organizations related to reindeer husbandry.

During our visit we were also able to see an interesting Sami craft shop in which traditional Sami jewelry products stood out.

Sami experience in Kautokeino

But without a doubt the key moment was the activity known as Sami experience.

After getting on sleds pulled by snowmobiles, we headed to a sami camp located on the outskirts of kautokeino, where a reindeer farm is located.

After being received by some Samis who were wearing their striking ceremonial clothes in which blue predominates, we were able to do some races with sleighs pulled by reindeer, as well as practice throwing lassoes.

Already inside a traditional sami shop We were able to taste some of their cuisine, while listening to some Sami traditional songs.

What is Sami culture like?

But above all we had the opportunity to learn many curiosities about the Sami culture and tradition.

Where and how the Sami live

Thus we learned that the sami community It extends through the north of the Nordic countries, through Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

They have their own language, with three different variants depending on the geographical area where they reside.

Sami or Lapps

Also called Lapp, in reality this name has a pejorative meaning, which is why this community is currently known as Samis.

Sami reindeer herders

Although until just a few decades ago the Sami They were nomads and lived in tents similar to those of the american indians, now the majority of the Sami live in the towns and villages of the area in wooden houses.

Currently only 10 percent of the population Sami It is nomadic and they are dedicated to reindeer farming.

That's why they spend the day herding the reindeer herds, which in winter they do with snowmobiles.

Between two or three sami families They usually have about 6.000 reindeer, which in summer they move to the coast to avoid mosquitoes.

As herders, above all they have to be careful that the reindeer are not attacked by the wolverines or wolverines, a carnivore similar to a small bear that lives in the boreal regions, and that goes in search of eating their heads.

Other animals that prey on reindeer are lynxes, golden eagles and bears, and they are also hit by cars and trains.

Sami Parliament in Karasjok

El Sami Parliament was created in 1989 in karasjok with the aim of preserving the cultural, linguistic and legal aspects of the Sami, so that they currently maintain certain historical rights.

But its political organization has its antecedents in the creation in 1956 of the Nordic Council of the Lapps, an organization founded to relate the Samis from Finland, Norway and Sweden, which were later joined by those from Russia.