Sami culture

Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden Vikings and the Old Norse • History • Sami culture • Winter • Right to access • Boating • Hiking • Cuisine • Music • Nordic Noir

The Sami are an indigenous culture|indigenous ethnic group, endemic to the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

Regions of Sami culture

LocationSapmi - Homeland of the Sami people

• Norway: Troms and Finnmark
• Sweden: Norrbotten County, Västerbotten County and Jämtland County
• Finland: Finnish Lapland;
  Enontekiö, Inari, Utsjoki and part of Sodankylä are recognised as the Sami native region
• Russia: Kola Peninsula

}}

Cities

Samediggi03 - Sami Parliament of Norway

• Inari (Anár, Aanaar, Aanar) – the "capital" of Finnish Samis
• Jokkmokk, Sweden, a Sami town with an annual fair in February
• Karasjok (Kárášjohka), Finnmark, Norway – a village where the Sami Parliament of Norway is located
• Kautokeino (Guovdageaidnu) – a centre of Sámi culture, with a 90% Sámi population
• Kiruna (Giron) – the seat of the Swedish Sami Parliament
• Östersund (Staare) – town with the Sami information centre of the Swedish Sami parliament

More Destinations

Sámi culture is not about city life. Although you will meet authentic Sámi in the towns, find museums, shops and exhibitions there and may have the chance to participate in Sámi festivals, an understanding of the Sámi necessarily includes a feeling for the vast areas outside cities. If you have time and are lucky you may join Sámi working with the reindeer on the fells. If you are a hiker you will appreciate the large wilderness areas. Otherwise you may get on an arranged tour, perhaps fishing in a lake far from the busy modern life.

Sami culture Halal Travel Guide

Sami Storehouse - Traditional raised Sami storehouse, displayed in Stockholm. A similar structure is mentioned in Russian fairy tales as a "house with Chicken legs". Rentierscheidung bei Nikkaluokta - Reindeer handling. Twice a year the reindeer are gathered and some animals taken to slaughter. Calves are marked while still accompanying their mother. Most reindeer are half-wild. Sametingsrådet (10324573015) (cropped).jpg|1280px|Dressed up Sámi politicians.

Reindeer husbandry is an important livelihood among the Sámi and the culture surrounding the trade is important also for many with other professions. Even traditionally, though, not all Sámi have been involved in big scale reindeer husbandry, but lived from fishing, hunting and similar, having reindeer mostly as draft animals. Today many Sámi work in modern trades. Tourism is an important income in Sápmi and the Sámi area.

As reindeer herders or hunters the Sámi traditionally followed the animals on their seasonal migrations, having a winter village, calving and autumn grounds and summer grounds, and mobile homes (goahtis and lávvus). As the movements between pastures took quite some time and they had eight seasons, not four. Also those living mainly from fishing moved as seasons changed. The reindeer still have seasonal pastures (mostly treeless areas in summer, either in hight terrain or by the coast), but the borders between countries, closed after failed negotiations in the 19th century, restricted the migration. With the introduction of motorized terrain vehicles (most importantly the snowmobile), reindeer herders have been able to reach their livestock from a permanent home, but some of the people you will meet were born before this revolution, and some choose to still live in or near the traditional summer settlements in summer, close to the livestock.

Many tourists in Sápmi want to experience the exotic Sámi culture. This has lead to non-Sámi dressing in quasi-Sámi clothes and performing "Sámi" rituals (thought of as insults by many Sámi). You may enjoy these shows for what they are, but if you want to learn about Sámi culture, you should be wary of the difference. On the other hand real Sámi are, despite preserving a distinct culture and identity, to varying degrees integrated in the modern lifestyle, and marriages across the cultural borders are quite common – you should not try too hard to find "authentic" Sámi.

Joik is a traditional Sami singing style, which is re-interpreted today as a genre of popular music; see Nordic music.

Local Language in Sami culture

There are several Sámi languages, although Saami phrasebook|Northern Sámi is clearly the most widely spoken and understood also by many Sámi not having it as mother tongue. Because of earlier language policy not all Sámi speak Sámi at all. All speak the majority language of the nation and they study English in school like other citizens of their respective countries. In Finland, Swedish is non-compulsory for those getting their education in Sámi.

Most places in Sápmi have Sámi names. The names in the non-Sámi languages are often based on these, although the spelling may be quite different.

Travel to Sami culture

There are quite a few airports in the Sápmi area, with at least domestic flights. Kittilä in Finland has relatively many seasonal Flights from European destinations.

The railways in Finland terminate at Kolari and Kemijärvi, with Rovaniemi the most important hub for continuing by coach.

Trains in Sweden go to Kiruna, and to Narvik in Norway. Inlandsbanan is usable too.

The Norwegian trains terminate at Bodø.

Russian trains go to Murmansk, and with sparse services somewhat beyond.

For Norway and the Hurtigruten ferry service is an option.

How to get around in Sami culture

The area is served by coaches, mostly at least with daily services. If you use your own car, be wary of the Norwegian terrain (there is quite a difference between the shortest route and the route by car) and winter driving|driving conditions in winter]. The distances are long, so biking requires some dedication. Taxis are a viable option for some destinations.

What to see in Sami culture

[[16000300032226-Vastenjávrre (Vastenjaure)-Riksantikvarieämbetet - Buildings in the Sámi settlement of Vastenjávrre in Laponia|Padjelanta National Park.

Museums

• Siida - Inari Sámi Museum | Inarintie 46, Inari, FI-99870 - GPS: 68.91021, 27.01295 ☎ +358 400-898-212 | Opening Hours: June 1-September 19: 09:00–20:00; September 20–Mar 31: 10:00–17:00 Adults: €10 The National Museum of the Finnish Sámi in Inari.

• Nutti Sámi Siida – Reindeer park and Sámi camp | Marknadsvägen 84, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi 67.853922, 20.58069 ☎ +46 980 21329 | Opening Hours: Winter season: Dec 1–Apr 14, Daily 10:00–17:00; Summer season: June 17–Aug 11 Daily 10:00–16:00 Winter: Adult 150 SEK, student 100 SEK, children 75 SEK. Summer: Adult 120 SEK, student 100 SEK, children 60 SEK Visitor center in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, with reindeer and information about the Sámi people. Café and handicraft shop.
• Ájtte - Jokkmokk - Museum on the fells and Sami culture.
• Saemien Sijte - Snåsa, Nord-Trøndelag - Culture centre and museum on Southern Sámi culture.

Most national park visitor centres in Sápmi tell also about the Sámi.

Theatres

• Beaivváš Sámi Našunálateáhter in Kautokeino
• Giron Sámi Teáhter in Kiruna

Best things to do in Sami culture

St Mary's Day Celebrations - Hetta Opening Hours: Late March - Dance, music, lassoing competitions, reindeer races. Handicrafts for sale.

• Easter festival - Kautokeino Opening Hours: Easter, programme all week - Festival with exhibitions, races, ice fishing, film and music festivals, concerts. The Easter has been an important time and the last chance to gather with friends before it is time to move the reindeer to the calving grounds.

Halal Restaurants in Sami culture

Põhja-kukemari - Crowberry, one of the berries abundant in Sápmi. The northern variant has somewhat bigger berries than the southern subspecies. also|Nordic cuisine}} As agriculture is quite a hopeless enterprise with most crops at these latitudes, most dishes are based on reindeer, fish and game. Also some wild plants play or have traditionally played an important role, such as berries, especially cloudberry and crowberry, and Norwegian angelica (Sámi: Olbmoborranrássi, Norwegian: kvann).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Sami culture

Sami culture - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Sami culture, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sami culture. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Sami culture and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Sami culture. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Sami culture. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSami culture: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Sami culture.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Sami culture: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Sami culture, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Sami culture.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Sami culture, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Sami culture, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Sami culture and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Sami culture, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Sami culture, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Sami culture without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sami culture is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Sami culture.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Sami culture is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Sami culture, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Sami culture Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

As the Sámi moved between summer and winter lands they had mobile homes. The lávvu is made from straight tree stems (resembling a teepee) and thus easy to build from scratch in fell birch forest (if you have the fabric or hides to cover the structure), while goahtis are more elaborate, with larger floor area. The lávvu stems are often left behind for next use, while the goahti trees are carried along. There are also goahtis made from timber or peat. These mobile and stationary homes are still commonly used, both as tourist attractions and as traditional accommodation, although not as primary home any more.

Many tourist businesses invite you to drink coffee by the fire in a lávvu. Nearly always you will get more familiar lodging for the night, in a few cases with something built to resemble a lávvu, but with normal beds and mattresses.

Stay Safe

Näkymä Kovddoskaisilta - |Landscape in Käsivarsi Wilderness Area. Spots of snow remaining in July.

Sápmi and the Sámi region, is mostly very sparsely populated, with a cold weather|harsh or even extreme climate. Do not venture into the wilderness without proper skill and equipment.

Local Customs in Sami culture

Sami are often known in other languages as Lap, Lapons, Laplanders or similar, but many of them regard these as pejorative terms. Use the word Sami for the ethnicity and the language, and Sápmi for their collective territory.

The Sami community has some unresolved disputes internally, as well as with the national governments, and the majority population. Land management rights (including mining, reindeer herding, fishing and wildlife management) is a particularly sensitive topic.

See also

• Vikings and the Old Norse for early Scandinavian history
• Minority cultures of Russia