Sami

1.    The Sami [Saami, Lapps] live in the European far north encompassing Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

2.    The 80,000 to 1,35,000 Samis speak approximately 10 languages- four of them are purely oral and six have written scripts as well.

3.    The most discussed Sami people were nomadic reindeer herders.

4.    They raised deer for milk and meat.

5.    The milk was curdled into tasty cheese.

6.    They tailored and wove clothes out of reindeer skin and wool.

7.    The community built houses out of grassy soil and tree logs.

8.    Many Samis now dwell in tiny farms and are into forestry, agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry [raising sheep and reindeer].

9.    Others are into mining, industrial, commercial and government jobs in towns and cities.

10.                       Some of them are semi-nomadic, migrating with their reindeer livestock and housing in a traditional tent.

11.                       Once groups of Sami families lived together.

12.                       They are skilled artisans who make amazing drums, knives, burl wood cups, colourful clothing and baskets.

13.                       Most Sami people follow shamanism connecting themselves to the supernatural world, communicating with spirits and healing the sick through herbal remedies and rituals.

14.                       Some of them have converted to Christianity.

15.                       There are protests that traditional Sami customs have been repressed to make them polished as per mainstream modern societal protocols.

 

 

 

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