Lapp (1859)

[also called sami, or same]

Native inhabitant of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia who are typically fishermen, nomadic herders of reindeer, and hunters of sea mammals.

Their language is also called Lapp, or Lappish, and belongs to the Finno-Ugric branch of the Uralic family. Almost all Norwegian Lapps are bilingual, and many no longer even speak their native tongue.

The reindeer Lapps are no longer nomads, they now practice transhumance; that is, they no longer migrate with their herds as family or band units, but accompany the animals while families reside in permanent winter or summer settlements.

Related links:

Sami Culture in a New Era: The Norwegian Sami Experience. All the way north in Norway is Finnmark, where you will find the Sami. They are considered the indigenous people of Norway and live according to customs and tradition much different from the Norwegians. The Sami have long traditions as reindeer herders and have preserved their own culture and ethnic identity e.g. by continuing to use their own dress. Many Sami continue their centuries long nomad lifestyle, living in tents and moving from place to place as the reindeer require new grazing lands.