Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sami Language
Particularly precise when it comes to describing natural phenomena, the landscape and
reindeer, Sami is not a single language. There are, in fact, 10 Sami languages spoken
across Sápmi, which belong to the Finno-Ugric language group and are not related to any
Scandinavian language.
Sweden officially recognises the Sami languages as minority languages and internation-
al law decrees that Sami children are entitled to mother-tongue education in Sami. In prac-
tice, however, it hasn't always proved possible to find Sami-speaking teachers, and some
municipalities feel that it costs too much to provide education in Sami.
However, the Centre for Sami research (CeSam) in Umeå conducts research into Sami
language and Sami language courses can be taken at Umeå and Uppsala universities.
Fewer than half of all Sami can actually read and speak Sami. The most common lan-
guage is North Sami, spoken by around 18,000 of the 50,000 Sami speakers. Sami lan-
guages are mutually unintelligible: Kildin Sami speakers from Vilhelmina can communic-
ate with Russia's Kola Sami but not Kiruna Sami.
Sami Religion & Mythology
Sami beliefs have traditionally revolved around nature, and Shamanism was widespread
until the 17th century. The
noaidi,
or shamans, bridged the gap between the physical world
and the spiritual world; when in a trance, it was thought that they could shape-shift and
command natural phenomena.
Sami folklore features many myths and legends concerning the underworld. Forces of
nature, such as the wind and the sun play an important role in Sami myths and legends:
Sápmi is said to have been created by a monstrous giant named Biogolmai, the Wind Man.
Sami creation stories feature the Son of the Sun as their ancestor, while the Daughter of
the Sun is said to have brought the Sami their reindeer.
In 1685 it was decided by the monarchy and the church that the Sami must be converted
to Christianity. Idolatry trials were held, shaman drums burned and sacred sites desecrated.
However, not all effects of Christianity were negative: Laestadianism helped to alleviate
the poverty and misery of the Sami in 19th-century Lappland.
