Sami people

The Sami   When you come to Jukkasjärvi in Sweden, you also come to Sápmi. The Sami (lappish people) that lives here speak their own language and have their own culture. Many of us have strong connection to the reindeer herding. About ten percent of the Sami people in Sweden are living of reindeer husbandry. Other tradtional Sami trades are fishing, hunting and craftswork.     An indigenous people   The Sami people are one of the world indigenous people. Common for these people are that they have lived in the same area through out the history, before it got invaded and colonised. We have our own culture, language, customs and traditions that are different from those of the society around us.   Through millennia we have lived close to the nature relaying heavily on the reindeer, the magnificent animal which is one of the symbols of the Sami people. However, today most have adapted to the modern way of life but our culture is still very much alive.    There are approximately 70 000 Sami people: ·         About 20 000 lives in Sweden. ·         About 40 000 lives in Norway. ·         About 8 000 lives in Finland. ·         About 2 000 lives in Russia

Sápmi Sápmi is the Sami peoples own name of their land. It stretches out over four countries  – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The area is often called Europe’s last remaining wilderness. The landscape of the area has managed to keep its distinctive character over several millennia since the ice cap melted several thousand years ago, despite the fact that the region has been continuously inhabited over that period.    Sameby and reindeer herding   The right to conduct reindeer herding in Sweden belongs to the Sami population. However, in order to exercise this right, it is necessary to be a member of a sameby. A sameby is both an economic association and a specific geographical area. Its members are entitled to engage in reindeer husbandry in this area. Within a single sameby there are several different reindeer herding companies comprising one or more owners. The sameby takes collective decisions about pasture, enclosures and joint work that have to be carried out. Each reindeer owner takes decisions concerning his own reindeer. There are a total of 51 samebys in Sweden.     Find out more about the Sami people on the website: www.samer.se