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{{short description|Traditional religion of the Sami people in the Nordic countries}}
{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Expand Finnish|topic=cult|date=January 2023}}

[[Image:Sami shamanic drum.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Sámi drum]] in the [[Arktikum Science Museum|Arctikum museum]], in [[Rovaniemi]], [[Finland]]]]
[[Image:Sami shamanic drum.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Sámi drum]] ]]
'''Traditional Sámi spiritual practices''' and beliefs are based on a type of [[animism]], [[polytheism]], and what anthropologists may consider [[shamanism]]. The religious traditions can vary considerably from region to region within [[Sápmi]].
'''Traditional Sámi spiritual practices''' and beliefs are based on a type of [[animism]], [[polytheism]], and what anthropologists may consider [[shamanism]]. The religious traditions can vary considerably from region to region within [[Sápmi]].


Traditional Sámi religion is generally considered to be Animism. The Sámi belief that all significant natural objects (such as animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess a soul, and from a polytheistic perspective, traditional Sámi beliefs include a multitude of spirits.<ref name="Religion">{{Cite web |url=http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/siida/christian/decline.htm |title=The Decline of the Sámi People's Indigenous Religion |last=Holloway |first=Alan "Ivvár" |publisher=University of Texas}}</ref> Sámi traditional beliefs and practices commonly emphasizes [[veneration of the dead]] and of animal spirits. The relationship with the local animals that sustain the people, such as the [[reindeer]], are very important to the kin-group.<ref name="Religion" />
Traditional Sámi religion is generally considered to be Animism. The Sámi belief that all significant natural objects (such as animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess a soul, and from a polytheistic perspective, traditional Sámi beliefs include a multitude of spirits.<ref name="Religion">{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Alan "Ivvár" |title=The Decline of the Sámi People's Indigenous Religion |url=http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/siida/christian/decline.htm |publisher=[[University of Texas]]}}</ref> Sámi traditional beliefs and practices commonly emphasizes [[veneration of the dead]] and of animal spirits. The relationship with the local animals that sustain the people, such as the [[reindeer]], are very important to the kin-group.<ref name="Religion" />


==Deities and animal spirits==
== Deities and animal spirits ==
Aside from [[bear worship]], there are other animal spirits such as the Haldi who watch over nature. Some Sámi people have a thunder god called [[Horagalles]]. [[Rana Niejta]] is "the daughter of the green, fertile earth".<ref name="Donner">{{Cite journal |last=Donner |first=Otto |year=1876 |title=Lieder der Lappen - Lappalaisia lauluja |series=Suomi-sarjan Toinen Jakso, 2 Oso |page=13}}</ref> The symbol of the [[world tree]] or pillar, which reaches up to the [[North Star]] amd is similar to that found in Finnish mythology, may also be present.<ref>Leeming, pp. 135</ref>
Aside from [[bear worship]], there are other animal spirits such as the Haldi who watch over nature. Some Sámi people have a thunder god called [[Horagalles]]. [[Rana Niejta]] is "the daughter of the green, fertile earth".<ref name="Donner">{{Cite journal |last=Donner |first=Otto |year=1876 |title=Lieder der Lappen - Lappalaisia lauluja |journal=Suomi-sarjan Toinen Jakso, 2 Oso |page=13}}</ref> The symbol of the [[world tree]] or pillar, which reaches up to the [[North Star]] and is similar to that found in [[Finnish mythology]], may also be present.<ref>Leeming, pp. 135</ref>


Laib Olmai, the forest spirit of some of the Sámi people, is traditionally associated with forest animals, which are regarded as his herds, and he is said to grant either good or bad luck in hunting. His favour was so important that, according to one author, believers said prayers and made offerings to him every morning and every evening.<ref>''Pre- and Proto-Historic Finns'' by Abercromby, p. 161</ref>
[[Lieaibolmmai|Laib Olmai]], the forest spirit of some of the Sámi people, is traditionally associated with forest animals, which are regarded as his herds, and he is said to grant either good or bad luck in hunting. His favour was so important that, according to one author, believers said prayers and made offerings to him every morning and every evening.<ref>''Pre- and Proto-Historic Finns'' by Abercromby, p. 161</ref>


==Sieidis==
== Sieidis ==
[[Image:Stabben siedi balsfjord.JPG|thumb|350px|Stabben: A ''sieidi'' stone in [[Balsfjord]]]]
[[Image:Stabben siedi balsfjord.JPG|thumb|350px|Stabben: A ''sieidi'' stone in [[Balsfjord Municipality]]]]
In the landscape throughout Northern Scandinavia, one can find ''[[sieidi]]s'', places that have unusual land forms different from the surrounding countryside, and that can be considered to have spiritual significance. Each family or clan has its local spirits, to whom they make offerings for protection and good fortune. The ''Storjunkare'' are described sometimes as stones, having some likeness to a man or an animal, that were set up on a mountain top, or in a cave, or near rivers and lakes. Honor was done to them by spreading fresh twigs under them in winter, and in summer leaves or grass. The ''Storjunkare'' had power over all animals, fish, and birds, and gave luck to those that hunted or fished for them. Reindeer were offered up to them, and every clan and family had its own hill of sacrifice.<ref>Pre- and Proto-historic Finns by Abercromby, pp. 163-164</ref>
In the landscape throughout Northern Scandinavia, one can find ''[[sieidi]]s'', places that have unusual land forms different from the surrounding countryside, and that can be considered to have spiritual significance. Each family or clan has its local spirits, to whom they make offerings for protection and good fortune. The ''Storjunkare'' are described sometimes as stones, having some likeness to a man or an animal, that were set up on a mountain top, or in a cave, or near rivers and lakes. Honor was done to them by spreading fresh twigs under them in winter, and in summer leaves or grass. The ''Storjunkare'' had power over all animals, fish, and birds, and gave luck to those that hunted or fished for them. Reindeer were offered up to them, and every clan and family had its own hill of sacrifice.<ref>Pre- and Proto-historic Finns by Abercromby, pp. 163-164</ref>


==Noaide==
== Noaidi ==
{{main|Noaidi}}
{{main|Noaidi}}
A ''[[noaidi]]'' was a male mediator between the human world and ''saivo'', the [[underworld]], on the behalf of the community, usually using a [[Sámi drum]] and a domestic flute called a ''fadno'' in ceremonies.
A ''[[noaidi]]'' is a mediator between the human world and ''saivo'', the [[underworld]], on the behalf of the community, usually using a [[Sámi drum]] and a domestic flute called a [[fadno]] in ceremonies.

==Ancestors==
⚫
One of the most irreconcilable elements of the Sámi's worldview from the missionaries’ perspective was the notion "that the living and the departed were regarded as two halves of the same family." The Sámi regarded the concept as fundamental, while the Christians absolutely discounted any possibility of the dead having anything to do with the living.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rydving |first=Håkan |title=The End of Drum-Time: Religious Change among the Lule Saami, 1670s-1740s |publisher=Almqvist & Wiksell International |year=1993 |location=Uppsala}}</ref> Since this belief was not just a religion, but a living dialogue with their ancestors, their society was concomitantly impoverished.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/siida/christian/decline.htm |title=The Decline of the Sámi People's Indigenous Religion |last=Holloway |first=Alan “Ivvár” |publisher=TexasU}}</ref>


==List of deities==
== Ancestors ==
⚫
One of the most irreconcilable elements of the Sámi's worldview from the missionaries’ perspective was the notion "that the living and the departed were regarded as two halves of the same family." The Sámi regarded the concept as fundamental, while Protestant Christian missionaries absolutely discounted any possibility of the dead having anything to do with the living.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rydving |first=Håkan |title=The End of Drum-Time: Religious Change among the Lule Saami, 1670s-1740s |publisher=[[Almqvist & Wiksell]] International |year=1993 |location=Uppsala}}</ref> Since this belief was not just a religion, but a living dialogue with their ancestors, their society was concomitantly impoverished.<ref name="Religion" />


== List of deities ==
The Sami religion differed somewhat between regions and tribes. Although the deities were similar, their names varied between regions. The deities also overlapped: in one region, one deity could appear as several separate deities, and in another region, several deities could be united in to just a few. Because of these variations, the deities have been somewhat confused with each other.
The Sami religion differs somewhat between regions and tribes. Although the deities are similar, their names vary between regions. The deities also overlap: in one region, one deity can appear as several separate deities, and in another region, several deities can be united in to just a few. Because of these variations, the deities can be somewhat confused with each other.


The main deities of the Sami were as follows:<ref>Hofberg, Herman, Lapparnes hednatro, 1879 ('Sami Paganism')</ref><ref>Holmberg-Harva, Uno, Lapparnas religion: (Lappalaisten uskonto, 1915), Centre for Multiethnic Research [Centrum för multietnisk forskning], Uppsala, 1987 ('The faith of the Sami')</ref><ref>Karsten, Rafael, Samefolkets religion: de nordiska lapparnas hedniska tro och kult i religionshistorisk belysning, Stockholm, 1952 ('The Sami religion')</ref><ref>Reuterskiöld, Edgar, De nordiska lapparnas religion, Norstedt, Stockholm, 1912 (The religion of the Northern Sami)</ref>
The main deities of the Sami were as follows:<ref>Hofberg, Herman, Lapparnes hednatro, 1879 ('Sami Paganism')</ref><ref>Holmberg-Harva, Uno, Lapparnas religion: (Lappalaisten uskonto, 1915), Centre for Multiethnic Research [Centrum för multietnisk forskning], Uppsala, 1987 ('The faith of the Sami')</ref><ref>Karsten, Rafael, Samefolkets religion: de nordiska lapparnas hedniska tro och kult i religionshistorisk belysning, Stockholm, 1952 ('The Sami religion')</ref><ref>Reuterskiöld, Edgar, De nordiska lapparnas religion, Norstedt, Stockholm, 1912 (The religion of the Northern Sami)</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Balys |first=John |title=Götter und Mythen im alten Europa |date=1973 |publisher=E. Klett |isbn=3-12-909820-8 |series=Wörterbuch der Mythologe |volume=2 |trans-title=Gods and myths in ancient Europe |chapter=Finnische Mythologie |lang=de}}</ref>


* [[Akka (spirit)|Akka]] - a group of fertility goddesses, including [[Maderakka]], [[Juksakka]] and [[Uksakka]]
* [[Akka (spirit)|Akka]] - a group of fertility goddesses, including [[Maderakka]], [[Sarakka]] [[Juksakka]] and [[Uksakka]]
* [[Beaivi]] - goddess of the sun, mother of human beings
* [[Beaivi]] - goddess of the sun, mother of human beings. However, in some areas the sun is male
* [[Bieggagallis]] - husband of the sun goddess, father of human beings
* [[Bieggagallis]] - husband of the sun goddess, father of human beings
* [[Bieggolmai]] 'Man of the Winds' - god of the winds
* [[Bieggolmai]] 'Man of the Winds' - god of the winds
* [[Biejjenniejte]] - goddess of healing and medicine, daughter of the Sun, Beaivi
* [[Biejjenniejte]] - goddess of healing and medicine, daughter of the Sun, Beaivi
* [[Horagalles]] - god of thunder. His name may mean "[[Thor]]-man". He is also called "Grandfather", Bajanolmmai, Dierpmis, and Tordöm.
* [[Horagalles]] - god of thunder. His name may mean "[[Thor]]-man". He is also called "Grandfather", Bajanolmmai, Dierpmis, Pajonn and Tordöm.
* [[Jabme-akko| Jahbme akka]] - the goddess of the dead, and mistress of the underworld and the realm of the dead
* [[Jabme-akko| Jahbme akka]] - the goddess of the dead, and mistress of the underworld and the realm of the dead
* [[Ipmil]] 'God' - adopted as a native name for the [[Christian God]] (see the related Finnish word [[Jumala]]), also used for [[Radien-attje]]
* [[Ipmil]] 'God' - adopted as a native name for the [[Christian God]] (see the related Finnish word [[Jumala]]), also used for [[Radien-attje]]
Line 39: Line 38:
* [[Madder-Attje]] - husband of Maderakka and father of the tribe. While his wife gives newborns their bodies, he gives them their souls.
* [[Madder-Attje]] - husband of Maderakka and father of the tribe. While his wife gives newborns their bodies, he gives them their souls.
* [[Mano (mythology)|Mano]], Manna, or Aske - god of the moon
* [[Mano (mythology)|Mano]], Manna, or Aske - god of the moon
* [[Mubpienålmaj]] - the god of evil, influenced by the Christian Satan
* [[Mubpienålmaj]] - the god of evil, influenced by the Christian Satan
* [[Radien-attje]] - Creator and high god, the creator of the world and the head divinity. In Sámi religion, he is passive or sleeping and is not often included in religious practice. He created the souls of human beings with his spouse. He was also called [[Waralden Olmai]].
* [[Radien-attje]] - Creator and high god, the creator of the world and the head divinity. In Sámi religion, he is passive or sleeping and is not often included in religious practice. He created the souls of human beings with his spouse. He was also called [[Waralden Olmai]].
* [[Raedieahkka]] - wife of the high god Radien-attje. She created the souls of human beings with her spouse.
* [[Raedieahkka]] - wife of the high god Radien-attje. She created the souls of human beings with her spouse.
* [[Rana Niejta]] - spring goddess, the daughter of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka.<ref name="Donner"/> ''Rana'', meaning "green" or by extension "fertile", was a popular name for Sámi girls.
* [[Rana Niejta]] - spring goddess, the daughter of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka.<ref name="Donner" /> ''Rana'', meaning "green" or by extension "fertile", was a popular name for Sámi girls.
* [[Radien-pardne]] - the son of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka. He acts as the proxy of his passive father, performing his tasks and carrying out his will.
* [[Radien-pardne]] - the son of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka. He acts as the proxy of his passive father, performing his tasks and carrying out his will.
* [[Ruohtta]] - god of sickness and death. He was depicted riding a horse.
* [[Ruohtta]] - god of sickness and death. He was depicted riding a horse.
Line 48: Line 47:
* [[Tjaetsieålmaj]] - "the man of water", god of water, lakes and fishing
* [[Tjaetsieålmaj]] - "the man of water", god of water, lakes and fishing


==See also==
== See also ==
⚫
* [[Sámi people#Religion]]
* [[Christianization of the Sámi people]]
* [[Christianization of the Sámi people]]
* [[Finnic mythologies]]
* [[Finnic mythologies]]
* ''[[Fragments of Lappish Mythology]]''
* ''[[Fragments of Lappish Mythology]]''
* [[History of Scandinavia]]
⚫
* [[Indigenous religions of Norway]]
* [[Lars Levi Laestadius]]
* [[Lars Levi Laestadius]]
⚫
* [[Sámi people#Religion|Religion among the Sámi people]]
⚫
* [[Indigenous religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]]
* [[Siberian Shamanism]]


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


===Bibliography===
=== Bibliography ===
* {{Cite book |last=Abercromby |first=John |url=https://archive.org/details/preandprotohist01abergoog |title=Pre- and Proto-historic Finns |publisher=D. Nutt |year=1898 |author-link=John Abercromby, 5th Baron Abercromby}}
* {{Cite book |last=Abercromby |first=John |author-link=John Abercromby, 5th Baron Abercromby |url=https://archive.org/details/preandprotohist01abergoog |title=Pre- and Proto-historic Finns |publisher=D. Nutt |year=1898}}
* {{Cite book |title=Saami Pre-Christian Religion: Studies on the Oldest Traces of Religion Among the Saamis |publisher=Almqvist & Wiksell |year=1985 |editor-last=Bäckman |editor-first=Louise |location=Stockholm |editor-last2=Hultkrantz |editor-first2=Åke}}
* {{Cite book |title=Saami Pre-Christian Religion: Studies on the Oldest Traces of Religion Among the Saamis |publisher=[[Almqvist & Wiksell]] |year=1985 |editor-last=Bäckman |editor-first=Louise |location=Stockholm |editor-last2=Hultkrantz |editor-first2=Åke}}
* {{Cite book |last=Leeming |first=David Adams |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myMgj6gUWUEC&pg=PA133 |title=European Mythology |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2003 |isbn=9780195143614 |pages=133–141 Finnic and Other Non-Indo-European Mythologies}}
* {{Cite book |last=Leeming |first=David Adams |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myMgj6gUWUEC&pg=PA133 |title=European Mythology |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2003 |isbn=9780195143614 |pages=133–141 Finnic and Other Non-Indo-European Mythologies}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/giella/film/pathfinder.htm Folklore, Boundaries and Audience in The Pathfinder] (a film review by Thomas A. DuBois in ''SamiCulture'') University of Texas
* [http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/diehtu/giella/film/pathfinder.htm Folklore, Boundaries and Audience in The Pathfinder] (a film review by Thomas A. DuBois in ''SamiCulture'') University of Texas
* [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/nordic-faq/part2_NORDEN/section-2.html The Sámi people] Nordic FAQ
* [http://www.faqs.org/faqs/nordic-faq/part2_NORDEN/section-2.html The Sámi people] Nordic FAQ

Latest revision as of 05:32, 16 November 2024

Sámi drum

Traditional Sámi spiritual practices and beliefs are based on a type of animism, polytheism, and what anthropologists may consider shamanism. The religious traditions can vary considerably from region to region within Sápmi.

Traditional Sámi religion is generally considered to be Animism. The Sámi belief that all significant natural objects (such as animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess a soul, and from a polytheistic perspective, traditional Sámi beliefs include a multitude of spirits.[1] Sámi traditional beliefs and practices commonly emphasizes veneration of the dead and of animal spirits. The relationship with the local animals that sustain the people, such as the reindeer, are very important to the kin-group.[1]

Deities and animal spirits

[edit]

Aside from bear worship, there are other animal spirits such as the Haldi who watch over nature. Some Sámi people have a thunder god called Horagalles. Rana Niejta is "the daughter of the green, fertile earth".[2] The symbol of the world tree or pillar, which reaches up to the North Star and is similar to that found in Finnish mythology, may also be present.[3]

Laib Olmai, the forest spirit of some of the Sámi people, is traditionally associated with forest animals, which are regarded as his herds, and he is said to grant either good or bad luck in hunting. His favour was so important that, according to one author, believers said prayers and made offerings to him every morning and every evening.[4]

Sieidis

[edit]
Stabben: A sieidi stone in Balsfjord Municipality

In the landscape throughout Northern Scandinavia, one can find sieidis, places that have unusual land forms different from the surrounding countryside, and that can be considered to have spiritual significance. Each family or clan has its local spirits, to whom they make offerings for protection and good fortune. The Storjunkare are described sometimes as stones, having some likeness to a man or an animal, that were set up on a mountain top, or in a cave, or near rivers and lakes. Honor was done to them by spreading fresh twigs under them in winter, and in summer leaves or grass. The Storjunkare had power over all animals, fish, and birds, and gave luck to those that hunted or fished for them. Reindeer were offered up to them, and every clan and family had its own hill of sacrifice.[5]

Noaidi

[edit]
Main article: Noaidi

A noaidi is a mediator between the human world and saivo, the underworld, on the behalf of the community, usually using a Sámi drum and a domestic flute called a fadno in ceremonies.

Ancestors

[edit]

One of the most irreconcilable elements of the Sámi's worldview from the missionaries’ perspective was the notion "that the living and the departed were regarded as two halves of the same family." The Sámi regarded the concept as fundamental, while Protestant Christian missionaries absolutely discounted any possibility of the dead having anything to do with the living.[6] Since this belief was not just a religion, but a living dialogue with their ancestors, their society was concomitantly impoverished.[1]

List of deities

[edit]

The Sami religion differs somewhat between regions and tribes. Although the deities are similar, their names vary between regions. The deities also overlap: in one region, one deity can appear as several separate deities, and in another region, several deities can be united in to just a few. Because of these variations, the deities can be somewhat confused with each other.

The main deities of the Sami were as follows:[7][8][9][10][11]

  • Akka - a group of fertility goddesses, including Maderakka, Sarakka Juksakka and Uksakka
  • Beaivi - goddess of the sun, mother of human beings. However, in some areas the sun is male
  • Bieggagallis - husband of the sun goddess, father of human beings
  • Bieggolmai 'Man of the Winds' - god of the winds
  • Biejjenniejte - goddess of healing and medicine, daughter of the Sun, Beaivi
  • Horagalles - god of thunder. His name may mean "Thor-man". He is also called "Grandfather", Bajanolmmai, Dierpmis, Pajonn and Tordöm.
  • Jahbme akka - the goddess of the dead, and mistress of the underworld and the realm of the dead
  • Ipmil 'God' - adopted as a native name for the Christian God (see the related Finnish word Jumala), also used for Radien-attje
  • Lieaibolmmai - god of the hunt and of adult men
  • Madder-Attje - husband of Maderakka and father of the tribe. While his wife gives newborns their bodies, he gives them their souls.
  • Mano, Manna, or Aske - god of the moon
  • Mubpienålmaj - the god of evil, influenced by the Christian Satan
  • Radien-attje - Creator and high god, the creator of the world and the head divinity. In Sámi religion, he is passive or sleeping and is not often included in religious practice. He created the souls of human beings with his spouse. He was also called Waralden Olmai.
  • Raedieahkka - wife of the high god Radien-attje. She created the souls of human beings with her spouse.
  • Rana Niejta - spring goddess, the daughter of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka.[2] Rana, meaning "green" or by extension "fertile", was a popular name for Sámi girls.
  • Radien-pardne - the son of Radien-attje and Raedieahkka. He acts as the proxy of his passive father, performing his tasks and carrying out his will.
  • Ruohtta - god of sickness and death. He was depicted riding a horse.
  • Stallo - feared cannibal giants of the wilderness
  • Tjaetsieålmaj - "the man of water", god of water, lakes and fishing

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Holloway, Alan "Ivvár". "The Decline of the Sámi People's Indigenous Religion". University of Texas.
  2. ^ a b Donner, Otto (1876). "Lieder der Lappen - Lappalaisia lauluja". Suomi-sarjan Toinen Jakso, 2 Oso: 13.
  3. ^ Leeming, pp. 135
  4. ^ Pre- and Proto-Historic Finns by Abercromby, p. 161
  5. ^ Pre- and Proto-historic Finns by Abercromby, pp. 163-164
  6. ^ Rydving, Håkan (1993). The End of Drum-Time: Religious Change among the Lule Saami, 1670s-1740s. Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell International.
  7. ^ Hofberg, Herman, Lapparnes hednatro, 1879 ('Sami Paganism')
  8. ^ Holmberg-Harva, Uno, Lapparnas religion: (Lappalaisten uskonto, 1915), Centre for Multiethnic Research [Centrum för multietnisk forskning], Uppsala, 1987 ('The faith of the Sami')
  9. ^ Karsten, Rafael, Samefolkets religion: de nordiska lapparnas hedniska tro och kult i religionshistorisk belysning, Stockholm, 1952 ('The Sami religion')
  10. ^ Reuterskiöld, Edgar, De nordiska lapparnas religion, Norstedt, Stockholm, 1912 (The religion of the Northern Sami)
  11. ^ Balys, John (1973). "Finnische Mythologie". Götter und Mythen im alten Europa [Gods and myths in ancient Europe]. Wörterbuch der Mythologe (in German). Vol. 2. E. Klett. ISBN 3-12-909820-8.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
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