Sami Culture

    The Sami, or Lapps, are the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. Many of the Sami reside in Lappland, ett landskap (a province) of northern Sweden. 

    The Sami spend most of their time herding, breeding, and harvesting reindeer. Up until the mid-1900s, the Sami would follow the reindeer herds and live in en kåta, a cone-shaped hut. However, the Sami have modernized in the recent decades by residing in towns, and by using cellphones, helicopters, and other modern conveniences to help herd reindeer.

    In addition, the Sami no longer wear their traditional apparel of reindeer pelts, woven goods, and red/yellow ribbons. They wear typical, modern, every day clothes and save thier outfits for market fairs, like the one at Jokkmokk. At the market fairs, the Sami sell their wares, including carved knives and woven mittens. Sami apparel is difficult to find and expensive to purchase, but it looks interesting all the same. 

    The Sami are a strong people with a rich culture, of which, they are proud. If asked, many of the Sami would not consider themselves Swedish. The Sami are an independent people, who have their own national anthem, national flag, and democratic parliament. 

- Fia