Sami family in 1900.
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi, or Saami, (also known as Lapps, although this term is considered derogatory) are one of the indigenous peoples of northern Europe inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia but also in the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. Their ancestral lands span an area the size of Sweden in the Nordic countries. The Sami people are among the largest indigenous ethnic groups in Europe. Their traditional languages are the Sami languages, which are classified as members of the Finno-Lappic group of the Uralic language family.
Traditionally, the Sami have plied a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, the best known livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding – which about 10% of the Sami are connected with and 2,800 actively involved with full-time. For traditional, environmental, cultural, and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved only for Sami people in certain regions of the Nordic countries.
With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with S.
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Sami family in front of their sod hut. |
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Travelling from place to place in a long train |
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carry -cot |
16 comments:
Thanks for sharing part of history. Great job.
Fascinating. I've never heard of this group of people before. Thanks for sharing.
Fascinating to know this history. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting Wil. I saw a picture on my Facebook a couple of days ago of a little Lapplander child resting against a reindeer (also lying down). It was very sweet and unusual, but of course I imagine quite commonplace in their lives.
Having Nordic roots this post is very interesting. Plus, I have been reading a lot recently about Arctic adventures. Lastly, the sod home reminded me of a picture of my grandfather in front of the family "Soddie" on the Nebraska plains. Necessity makes people come to similar decisions. - Margy
Wow, Interessant om te lezen, had er nog nooit van gehoord.
Fijne dag WIl !
I had not known that Lapp was considered derogatory.
ROG, ABCW
Fascinating and like Roger, I didn't know that the term "Lapp" is considered an insult.
Leslie
abcw team
Fascinating post and wonderful photos about the Sami for S ~
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
I find your post interesting as I've had lots to do with aboriginal people here. Some of the clothing and patterns appear very similar to inuit in some areas.
Very interesting!
Have a great day!
Lea
Very interesting, informative & I love their colorful outfits
Hello Wil,
What an interesting piece about the Sami people, I, like others, thought
they were called Laplanders, I shall remember their real name in future.
Travel agents still advertise holidays to 'See Santa in Lapland', somebody
should put them right particularly if the Simi people find it offensive
to be called 'Laps'.
I've just be reading about them, I rather fancy their lifestyle, they all
look very healthy, must be the Reindeer steaks and hearty stews they enjoy.
I love their colourful clothing and shoes, all hand made too!
Lovely article, I've learned something new
and all thanks to you dear Wil.
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Thanks for sharing. Didn't know about the Sami's. That carry cot is so cute.
BeatAboutThe Book
sami people, wow.
This is so interesting Wil -- I had read about the Sami people before, but did not know that their lands stretched as far as all this! Also did not realize that the term Lapp is considered derogatory now. Thanks for sharing this interesting history (it is so easy to learn here on your blog!!)
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