Today I want to talk about the Sami people.
Some people call them Laplanders.
This is not quite right according to this native Sami man:
"Lapp" means a patch of cloth for mending, thus the name suggests that the Sami are wearing patched clothes, a derogatory term and one that needs to be replaced. The word "Laplander" is also problematic since that could mean any person who lives within this region, also those that are non native. Finally there's a part of the Sami population who always have lived outside the region of "Lapland" such as the Sami's in Swedens, Jemtland and Härjedalen.
They are the only aboriginal people of Northern Europe and are known
for being nomadic reindeer herders.
This photo was taken in the early 1900's of a typical Sami family.
Present day Sami people have lost their habitat due to mining,
hydroelectric dams and general increase in population and pursue
other careers but there are still some out there who live a traditional lifestyle
in rural parts of Northern Europe.
They are the only people in Europe who can legally herd and practice reindeer husbandry.
The needle work of the Sami people is beautiful and intricate.
I am working on a piece right now and have been keeping these people in mind.
Can you guess what it is?
I was also inspired by this little throw rug I have...
...and then the doodling began on a piece of scrap tissue that was lying around...
I am taking some artistic license in the designs and going a bit more swirly
and Swedish...
I feel that this sculpture may take a while given the detail but
once again, through research, I am learning about something
I didn't really know much about.
I leave you with this beautiful short video of
one Sami man's relationship with his land and his reindeer.
