Discover the Sámi way of life
Lapland is more than snowy forests and Santa’s home. It is also home to the Sámi, the only indigenous people in Europe. Their culture is everywhere you look, from reindeer wandering across the fells to stories of trolls and forest spirits shared by the fire.
Who Are the Sámi?
The Sámi have lived in the Arctic for over 5,000 years. Their homeland, called Sápmi, stretches across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and into Russia. Life here has always been shaped by the forests, the rivers and the snowy plains.
Reindeer are at the heart of Sámi life. Families once travelled with their herds, moving to new pastures as the seasons changed. Even today, many Sámi still work with reindeer, keeping alive traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Reindeer and the Sámi
Reindeer are more than Lapland’s most famous residents. For the Sámi people they are a way of life. The animals provide food, warm clothing and transport through the snow. Families have relied on them for centuries, and reindeer herding is still an important tradition today.
When you meet reindeer during your Santa’s Lapland holiday, you are also seeing a living part of Sámi people culture.
From the soft jingle of the harness bells to the sight of a sleigh gliding across the snow, every detail is a link to traditions that have lasted thousands of years.
Clothes that tell a story
One of the most colourful parts of Sámi culture is their traditional dress, called the gákti. It looks bright and beautiful, but it also carries hidden meaning. The colours and patterns can tell you where a person comes from, whether they are married and even how many reindeer they own.
Speak Like the Sámi
The Sámi people have their own languages that are different from Finnish. In Finland, three Sámi languages are still spoken today, and they are filled with words inspired by nature. In fact, North Sámi has almost 200 different words just for snow.
While Finnish is the main language in Saariselkä, learning a few Northern Sámi words is a fun way to connect with Lapland’s culture. Children especially love practising them, and you might even surprise a local with your effort.
Here are some easy Northern Sámi phrases to try:
- Bures (pronounced boo-ress): Hello
- Giitu (pronounced kii-tu): Thank you
- Oaidnaleapmai (pronounced oid-nal-eap-my): Goodbye
- Mu namma lea… (pronounced moo nah-ma leh): My name is…
You can also use simple Finnish phrases during your trip:
- Hei: Hello
Kiitos: Thank you
Legends, trolls and frozen magic
If your family loves Frozen, you may already know a little about Sámi traditions. The films were inspired by Sámi clothing, reindeer herding and music.
The Sámi have their own stories too. They tell tales of Stállu, a troll-like creature, and of spirits who live in the forests and lakes. These legends make Lapland feel even more magical, as if folklore and fairy tales are alive all around you.
The Sámi spirit of Lapland
Learning about the Sámi people culture makes your trip to Lapland even more special.
You will hear the jingling of reindeer bells, see flashes of colour in traditional Sámi dress, and feel the magic in stories that have been told for generations.
It is a culture that has lived side by side with Lapland’s snowy forests and starry skies for thousands of years.
And when you experience it for yourself, it becomes part of your family’s Christmas story too.