Sámi people
Indigenous people of Sápmi, known for reindeer herding and Sámi languages.
The Sámi ( , ; also spelled Sami or Saami) are the traditionally Sámi-speaking indigenous people inhabiting the region of Sápmi. Formerly known as Lapland, Sápmi encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Historically, the Sámi have been known in English as Lapps or Laplanders; however, these terms are exonyms, regarded as offensive by the Sámi, who prefer their own endonym. Their traditional languages are the Sámi languages, which are classified as a branch of the Uralic language family.
- population_connected_to_reindeer_herding
- about 10% (as of 2007)
- full_time_reindeer_herders_in_Norway
- around 2,800 (as of 2007)
- language_family
- Uralic (Sámi languages)
- traditional_region
- Sápmi (northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Kola Peninsula, Russia)
- known_for
- semi-nomadic reindeer herding, coastal fishing, fur trapping, sheep herding
Quick Facts
- Group
- Sámi
- Native Name
- sámit (Northern Sámi) / saemieh (Southern Sámi) / sáme (Lule and Pite Sámi) / sämmiliih (Inari Sámi) / säʹmmla (Skolt Sámi) / са̄мь (Kildin Sámi)
- Flag Caption
- Sámi flag
- Population
- Estimated 80,000
- Popplace
- Sápmi 63,831–107,341
- Region1
- Norway
- Pop1
- 37,890–60,000In Norway, there is no clear legal definition of who is Sámi. Therefore, exact numbers are not possible.
- Region2
- Sweden
- Pop2
- 14,600–36,000
- Region3
- Finland
- Pop3
- 9,350
- Region4
- Russia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Sámi have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. Their best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding. About 10% of Sámi were connected to reindeer herding, which provides them with meat, fur, and transportation; around 2,800 Sámi people were actively involved in reindeer herding on a full-time basis in Norway. For traditional, environmental, cultural, and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved for Sámi only in some regions of the Nordic countries. The etymology of the word 'Sámi' is uncertain, though it is often linked to the Baltic word *žēmē meaning 'land'; however, the direct borrowing and specific Proto-Indo-European root connection are debated and not universally agreed upon. The first probable historical mention of the Sámi, naming them Fenni, was by Tacitus about AD 98. Variants of Finn or Fenni were in wide use in ancient times. The word Lapp can be traced to Old Swedish, perhaps of Finnish origin, meaning 'wilderness in the north'; its original meaning is unknown. The term 'Lapp' was popularized by the work of Johannes Schefferus in 1673.
Reader's Guide
The Sámi are often known in other languages by the exonyms Lap, Lapp, or Laplanders, although these are considered derogatory terms by some, while others accept at least the name Lappland. In Finnish, 'saamelainen' is the most commonly used word nowadays, especially in official contexts. Sámi institutions—notably the parliaments, radio and TV stations, theatres, etc.—all use the term Sámi, including when addressing outsiders in Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, or English.
Did You Know?
- The Sámi languages are classified as a branch of the Uralic language family.
- The word 'Sámi' does not have a direct cognate in Finnish like the region of Tavastia; 'Häme' (Tavastia) may share a link to the same Baltic root *žēmē, but it is not a direct cognate of 'Sámi'.
- The etymology of the Finnish word for Finland, 'Suomi', is debated; theories include a Proto-Baltic origin (from *žemē) or a Proto-Germanic origin, but neither is established as 'probable' in mainstream scholarship.
- In Norway, Sámi were still called Finns at least until the modern era, reflected in toponyms like Finnmark, Finnsnes, and Finnøy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Sámi people?
The Sámi are the indigenous, Uralic-speaking people of northern Fennoscandia and Russia's Kola Peninsula. They are the only indigenous group in Scandinavia and maintain a distinct cultural identity rooted in the region they call Sápmi.
Where do the Sámi people traditionally live?
Their traditional homeland, known as Sápmi, stretches across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. This cross-border territory has served as the center of their cultural and linguistic life for centuries.
What are the traditional livelihoods of the Sámi people?
Semi-nomadic reindeer herding is the most widely recognized practice, though roughly ten percent of the Sámi population is connected to it. Other traditional activities include coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding.
Which language family do the Sámi languages belong to?
The Sámi languages fall within the Uralic language family, distinguishing them from the surrounding Indo-European tongues of Scandinavia. This linguistic heritage is a cornerstone of their distinct cultural identity.
Why should I avoid calling the Sámi 'Lapps' or 'Laplanders'?
Those older English labels are now regarded as offensive by the Sámi community and have fallen out of acceptable usage. The preferred self-identification is simply 'Sámi,' which reflects the name the people use for themselves.
More in Ethnic & Indigenous Groups 1-23
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