The Sami People

The Sami are the indigenous people of northern Europe. They live in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. This area is called Sapmi. The Sami have herded reindeer and lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. Their colorful clothing and unique music make their culture very special.

Reindeer Herding

Reindeer herding has been a way of life for the Sami for over 2,000 years. The Sami follow their reindeer herds as they move between summer and winter pastures. Reindeer provide meat, milk, and fur. The Sami also use reindeer to pull sleds across the snow. Today, about 10 percent of Sami people still herd reindeer.

Sami Culture

The Sami have a special kind of singing called joik. A joik is a song that describes a person, animal, or place. It is one of the oldest music traditions in Europe. Sami traditional clothing, called gakti, is brightly colored with red, blue, and yellow. The Sami also have their own flag, parliament, and national day.

Fun Facts

• There are about 80,000 to 100,000 Sami people living in northern Europe today.
• The Sami have over 300 words for reindeer, describing their age, color, and shape.
• Sami National Day is February 6 and is celebrated across all four countries.

Did You Know?

The Sami joik singing tradition inspired the music in the Disney movie Frozen! The opening song in the movie sounds similar to traditional Sami joik.