Ethnographies

The Sámi live in their ancestral land Sápmi that spans the whole of the northern peninsula of Fennoscandia, from central Sweden and Norway via Finland to the Russian Northwest. Of their ten languages, Northern Sámi counts the largest number of speakers (roughly 20 000). Close contacts with the populations that represent the majority in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, have impacted the life of the Sámi in many respects. While all Sámi speak the respective national languages, they often are no longer in full command of the language of their ancestors. This situation has led to initiatives to sustain their languages.

Missionary accounts from the 17th and 18th centuries contain detailed descriptions of Sámi worldviews and their rituals, such as the use of the shaman drum. Today, Sámi mythology is a source of inspiration for many artists.

The Sámi have always lived from hunting, gathering and fishing in the many lakes and along the coasts of the European Far North. Over the past few centuries, reindeer herding has become another important source of livelihood. At present, relatively few Sámi are still engaged in this activity. Apart from the advantages of modern technology, there are also new challenges, such as the impact of climate change on reindeer herding.