SÁMI COMMUNITIES IN NORWAY
As nomadic hunters, trappers and fishing folk, Sámi relied heavily on the natural world and followed wild reindeer herds as they migrated across the tundra from Finland into Norway in search of summer grazing grounds along the north coast. Trade was important and skin and furs were offered to Vikings for salt, weapons and coins, which the Sámi valued purely as ornamental objects. Sámi also considered archery an essential skill and used strong bows (juoksa) and arrowheads made from bone as traditional hunting weapons, the use of which would also signal the rite of passage from boy to man.
Our Norway Vacations
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling vacation, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
Cross country skiing in Norway
Skiing in Norway's Telemark ski region
Lofoten Islands winter photography vacation, Norway
Unique Photography in Norway's beautiful Lofoten Islands
Fjords self guided cycling vacation in Norway
Experience the amazing Fjords south of Bergen
Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
6 night live-aboard tour in the stunning fjords 0f Norway
Norway self guided biking vacation, Hardangerfjord
Spectacular view of the fjords, mountains and glaciers
Self guided biking tour in Norway, Arctic Coast
Biking under the midnight sun from Tromsø to Svolvær
Norway wildlife vacation, walking safari
Camping wildlife vacation in the Norwegian wilderness
Kamben cross country skiing in Norway
Beautifully situated on an undulating plateau in central Norway
Venabu cross country skiing vacation in Norway
Independent cross-country skiing in dramatic landscape
Hiking vacation in Norway, Rondane National Park
Self guided trekking in Rondane National Park
Swim with killer whales and humpback whales in Norway
Swim near magnificent whales under the Northern Lights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
Lofoten Islands and Svalbard northern lights safari
Take in the Arctic beauty on this exhilarating adventure
Fjords walking vacation in Norway
Discover a world etched with beauty
Northern Lights tour, Sweden, Finland & Norway
Visit Sweden, Finland and Norway in a handcrafted itinerary
Peer Gynt ski touring vacation in Norway
Cross county skiing The Peer Gynt Trail - Lillehammer Norway
Lofoten Islands summer photography vacation, Norway
Midnight Sun Photography in Norway's lovely Lofoten Islands
Scandinavia small group tour
Soak up a little Scandinavian minimalism
Whale watching and Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Far North. Far East. Whales and Northern lights.
Norway cross country skiing vacation
Cross Country Troll Trail from Rondane to Lillehammer
Spitsbergen cruise, 6 days
A 6 day 'taster voyage' to explore Spitsbergen's highlights
Norwegian Fjords classic cruise
The classic Norwegian Fjord cruise the length of Norway
Swim with orcas in Norway, Northern Lights
Northern lights and orca swim adventure in Norway
Northern lights sailing vacation in Norway
Sailing and hiking in the land of the Aurora Borealis!
North Norway cruise, Aurora Boreali, whales & ice hotel
Cruise the fjords to see Aurora and Orca & stay in Ice Hotel
Cycling vacation in Norway, The islands north of Lofoten
Bike the beautiful, quiet islands just north of Lofoten
Midnight sun sailing vacation in Norway
Experience Superb Sailing and Unmatched Nature in Norway!
Norway photography tour, Sami culture
Unique chance to follow the Sami during their nomadic trek.
Trading links with Norse communities and Russians gave Sámi people relatively prosperous lifestyles in comparison to many other Norwegians, which inevitably led to conflict, with the Russian invasion of Finland in 1809 complicating issues further. Increased tensions caused by a drive for Norwegian nationalism and increased development in the north of the country led to Sámi culture all but being wiped out, especially as knowledge of Norwegian language was one of the prime means of purchasing or renting farmland.
Reindeer & joiking
The Sámi relationship with reindeer is extremely important to their cultural heritage with every aspect of the animal used for food, clothing and shelter. Sámi children were once raised on the meat and milk of reindeer with the fat often used as a substitute for butter alongside wild foraged ingredients such as mushrooms, berries and herbs. Reindeer skins would also have been used to create shoes, clothes and the canvas for lavvu tents whilst antlers would have been carved into hunting knives, bowls and cups to ensure nothing from the animal was wasted.Traditional Sámi costume was also formed from reindeer leather and sheep or goat wool with distinctive red, green, blue and gold colouring combined with buttons, braided patterns and the length of garments to symbolise marital status and standing in the community.
Singing (joik) is also of particular importance to Sámi culture with traditional joik songs performed without instruments often to describe particular events in Sámi folklore including the legendary shape-shifting character of Stállo who was said to be able to turn from animal to man to mountain.
Sami festivals
Riddu Riđđu is an annual music and cultural event which takes place every July in the northeast coastal village of Olmmáivággi. This is popular with young Sámi and includes numerous performances, presentations and interactive workshops over the course of a long weekend.
The annual reindeer migration is an important date on the Sámi calendar and rarely experienced by daccu (outsiders) although small numbers of visitors can witness and even take part in an event that dates back thousands of years. These days, skidoos are used to help herd the reindeer from Kirkenes in Finnmark to pastures along the coast, although Arctic conditions do little to aid the comfort levels of soft southern participants with lavvu tents providing accommodation over the course of a testing five-day journey.
Our top Norway Vacation
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling vacation, Norway
Lofoten, biking in unique and beatiful scenery
2021: 4 Jun, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep
How to experience Sámi culture in Norway
Staying with a Sámi community in an outdoor camp is one such way to begin to understand what it takes to live in these harsh yet beautiful conditions with winter sleeping bags and reindeer skins all that's needed to keep warm and cosy in a 12-person lavvu tent.
Another way to experience authentic Sámi traditions is by embarking on a husky safari across a frozen wilderness. Imagine clambering aboard a fully laden sled before a team of enthusiastic and attentive dogs kicks into gear and pulls you through the wilds of northern Norway. Step aside Santa, Sámi coming through.
Finally, if you really want to get to grips with Sámi culture then the annual reindeer migration offers one such opportunity with just a few lucky daccu invited to embark on an expedition that's about as close to an authentic Sámi experience as you could ever hope to imagine.