The Sami: The guardians of the High North

When you are with us in Lapland, one thing stands out immediately: the profound tranquility and the overwhelming nature. But this wilderness is not empty. For thousands of years, it has been the home of the Sámi, the original inhabitants of this area. During a stay at Pippin, we would love to take you to Jukkasjärvi, a place where Sámi culture is still tangibly present.

Lapland of Sápmi: What is the correct name?

Perhaps you have come across the term before: Sápmi. But what exactly is the story behind the name 'Lapland'?

The name Lapland is actually the name formerly given to the region by outsiders. They prefer to call their land Sápmi. This region pays no heed to national borders and stretches across the north of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and a small part of Russia. So, when we talk about the culture, we refer to the Sámi and their homeland Sápmi. Slowly, a shift is taking place from the word Lapland to the word of the Sámi: Sápmi

A brief history: From hunters to shepherds

The history of the Sámi begins as early as the end of the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. As the ice retreated from Scandinavia, the ancestors of the Sámi moved north from the south and east. They were masters of surviving under extreme conditions.

Originally, they lived as nomads, following wild reindeer herds for food and clothing. It was not until later, around the 16th and 17th centuries, that this evolved into reindeer herding as we know it today.

Due to increasing external pressure and taxes that had to be paid to the kings of Sweden and Norway, the Sámi began taming and herding reindeer instead of merely hunting them. Thus, nomadic reindeer herding emerged: entire families traveled hundreds of kilometers with the herds between the winter forests and the summer mountains. The arrival of the church in Jukkasjärvi

The beautiful red church we visit in Jukkasjärvi tells an important (and sometimes painful) part of this story. From the 17th century onwards, the Swedish state wanted to gain a stronger grip on the North. Religion was the primary tool in this endeavor.

The church in Jukkasjärvi was built in a strategic location: the marketplace where the Sámi gathered in the winter. Here they were baptized and forced to listen to sermons. Their own centuries-old faith—in which nature, drums, and spiritual guides (Noaidi) played a central role—was banned. The altarpiece in the church, which we view during our trip, clearly illustrates this transition. It is a symbol of how Sámi culture has had to adapt over the centuries, yet has always managed to preserve its own core.

Oppression and resurrection

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Sámi faced 'swedification'. Children were forced to attend special boarding schools (the Nomadskolan) where they were not allowed to speak their own language. It is a dark chapter in history that still leaves deep scars.

Fortunately, there has been a tremendous cultural revival in recent decades. The Sámi have their own parliament in Kiruna (the Sametinget), their own flag, and their language is once again spoken and taught with pride. When we walk around Nutti Sámi Siida today, we do not see a people from a history book, but a modern, proud culture that shares its centuries-old knowledge of nature with the world.

Our favorite stop: Nutti Sámi Siida & the Sami Church

During our excursions, we visit the Nutti Sámi Siida, an open-air museum located right on that historic marketplace. Here, you come face to face with the reindeer. You are allowed to feed them yourself, and believe us: that soft snorting and the crunching of the moss in their mouths is an experience you won't soon forget.

Right next to the museum, you will find the church of Jukkasjärvi. This is the oldest wooden church in Swedish Lapland (built around 1607). Inside, pay special attention to the altarpiece: a brightly colored artwork depicting the Christianization of the Sámi, and the organ decorated with reindeer antlers and magical Sámi symbols.

Sámi Etiquette: The Do’s & Don’ts

When visiting Sámi culture, it is nice to respect the traditions. Here are a few tips:

DO	DON'T
Ask for permission before taking a photo of people in traditional clothing (Gákti).	Never ask how many reindeer someone has. This is like asking how much money is in someone's bank account.
Buy authentic. Look for the 'Sámi Duodji' mark for genuine craftsmanship.	Do not whistle at the Northern Lights. According to old Sámi legends, this brings bad luck (the spirits can take you away).
Show genuine interest. The Sámi enjoy talking about their modern life, which combines tradition with technology.	Do not call them 'Lapps'. Always use the term Sámi.

The Rhythm of Nature: The Eight Seasons

In the middle Europe, we are accustomed to spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But if you live off and with nature, like the Sámi, four seasons are not enough. The Sámi calendar counts no fewer than eight. Each season marks a crucial phase in the life of the reindeer herd.

When you visit us, you will find yourself in one of these specific periods:

Winter (Dálvve) – December/January: The time of the Kaamos (polar night). It is cold and dark; the reindeer conserve their energy and search for lichen under the deep snow.

Spring-Winter (Gidádálvve) – March/April: Our personal favorite! The sun is gaining strength, the days are getting longer, but the snow is still there. Ideal for dog sledding and being outdoors.

Spring (Gidá) – May: The snow melts and the reindeer head to the mountains. This is a sacred time: the calves are born. Rest in nature is essential now.

Spring-Summer (Gidágiesse) – June: The time of the midnight sun. The greenery explodes and the reindeer feast on the fresh leaves to regain their strength. Summer (Giesse) – July: The sun does not set. The Sámi gather the herds to mark the new calves with their own unique notch in the ear.

Autumn-Summer (Tjakčagiesse) – August: The berries ripen and the nights grow darker again. The reindeer build up their fat reserves for the winter.

Autumn (Tjakča) – September/October: The autumn colors (Ruska) color the landscape gold and red. This is the time of the rut and slaughter, during which every part of the reindeer is used: meat, hide, and antlers.

Autumn-Winter (Tjakčadálvve) – November/December: The first permanent snow falls. The reindeer are driven to the winter pastures. The circle is complete.

Through the eyes of the Sámi, you learn that nature never 'stands still'. At Pippin, we try to follow that same rhythm. Whether you come in deep winter for the Northern Lights or in Spring-Winter for the first rays of sun on your face: every season has its own story and its own magic with the reindeer in the Siida.

The Voice of the Soul: The Joik

When you sit by the campfire in a lavvu (a traditional Sámi tent), you sometimes hear a sound that cuts right to the bone: the Joik. This is one of the oldest singing traditions in Europe.

But note: a Sámi does not sing about something; he or she 'joiks' the subject. It is a musical portrait. There are joiks for people, for animals (such as the wolf or the reindeer), and for specific places in nature.

No beginning or end: A joik often has no clear start or conclusion, just like nature, which also always continues.

Capturing the essence: When someone sings a joik for you, they are trying to capture your character and soul in sounds. It is one of the most beautiful compliments you can receive. Spiritual power: In the past, the joik was also a way for shamans (the Noaidi) to enter a trance and connect with the spirit world.

Today, you can also find the joik in modern music (think of the Swedish singer Jon Henrik Fjällgren), but you can still hear its purest form here, in the silence of the far north.

An experience never to be forgotten

Sámi culture is not something you learn just from a book; it is something you have to feel. The serene tranquility in the church of Jukkasjärvi, the soft snout of a reindeer gently eating moss from your hand, and the scent of burning wood in a lavvu... it is these moments that truly give meaning to a trip to the Far North.

At Pippin in Lapland, we believe it is important that you do not come just as a tourist, but as a guest who truly gets to know the region. We would love to take you to these special places, where we will reflect on the traditions of Sápmi together.

Will you join us on this adventure? Are you ready to come and discover the eight seasons for yourself? Check out our program. We can't wait to show you the magic of our backyard!

Warm regards, Kim & Jan