Today, February 6th, the Sámi peoples in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia celebrate their Sámi National Day. The Sámi National Day has been celebrated for 30 years or since 1993 on this date to commemorate the first Sámi congress held in Trondheim, Norway in 1917.
The day is celebrated by raising the Sámi flag with its bright colors of red, green, yellow, and blue and the two circles representing the sun and moon. In some countries, the country's national flag is raised alongside the Sámi flag. While the flags are raised the song of the Sámi peoples is sung in the regional Sámi dialect.
Besides these formal ceremonies, many towns with a high Sámi population have chosen to expand the celebrations by organizing events with a Sámi theme in the days surrounding the Sámi National Day. In some places, the Sámi celebrations last over a week with features such as concerts by Sámi musicians, lectures, outdoor markets, art displays, and Sámi sports competitions. These events are an opportunity for the Sámi peoples to come together and at the same time teach others about their culture and history.
Happy Sámi National Day to all Sámi peoples!
About Sámi Peoples
The Sámi peoples (saami) or Sápmi, are an indigenous group inhabiting the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia (Kola Peninsula). With a rich cultural heritage and a deep connection to the Arctic landscape, the Saami have thrived in one of the world's harshest environments for centuries.
The Sámi peoples are not a homogenous group, but rather a collection of diverse communities, each with its distinct language, traditions, and way of life. The Sámi languages, including Northern, Lule, Southern, Inari, and Skolt Sámi, reflect this diversity.
Traditionally, the Sámi have been nomadic reindeer herders, relying on the animals for sustenance and as a central element of their cultural identity.
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