The sixth of February is set aside each year to celebrate Sámi National Day, a holiday that serves as a cultural occasion for the Sámi people. This day in 1917 marked the beginning of the first Sámi conference, which was held in Trondheim, Norway.
The holiday is also known as “Samenes Nasjonaldag,” which is just another name for it. The Sámi people are an indigenous ethnic group that may largely be found in Norway. However, they are also present in Finland, Russia, and Sweden. In Norwegian, they are referred to as the Urbefolkning.
Sami National Day: Historical Context
On February 6, 1917, in Trondheim, Norway, people from both the Northern and Southern Sámi groups finally met one another for the first time in person. The community gathered together to debate and tackle the issues that they all had in common, which turned out to be an important event in retrospect.
According to 2012 statistics, there are a total of 80,000 people who identify as Sami. Of this number, 50,000 live in Norway, 20,000 live in Sweden, 8,000 live in Finland, and 2,000 live in Russia.
Sami National Day was first celebrated in 1992, during the 15th annual Sami conference, which was hosted in Helsinki, Finland. Because they were a minority in four distinct countries, the Sami people were historically looked down upon and deemed to be less important.
They were forced to comply with a plethora of laws that had the overarching goal of assimilating them into general society. As a result of this, it became essential to set aside a particular day to recognize and celebrate them. The first annual celebration of Sámi National Day took place on February 6, 1993.
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At the same time, the United Nations proclaimed 2019 to be the International Year of Indigenous People, and Sweden will serve as the host country for the official opening ceremony.
Since then, members of Norway’s Sami culture have been celebrating this event with a lot of fanfare and elaborate rituals. The flag of the Sami people is flown high, and the national anthem, along with chants and songs, are all sung in Sami.
The Importance Of Sami National Day
This Piece Pays Tribute To A Group That Is Underrepresented In Society
On this particular day, people all around the region honor the Sami people, but this was not always the case in the past. There has been a protracted struggle inside the community for recognition, and we are all for finally achieving victory in this battle.
It’s A Major Holiday, So Make Sure You Exercise Caution
Sami The Norwegians, in general, place a high significance on the celebration of their country’s National Day. perfect for gaining a grasp of the pillars around which national identity and heritage are built.
Providing An Alternative To The Standard
As a result of increased global connectivity, prejudice and discrimination against individuals are gradually disappearing in today’s society. On Sami National Day, we advocate for the rights of indigenous people as well as those of other underrepresented groups in society.
Some Fascinating Facts
- creator of the design for the flag. Astrid Bhl, a Norwegian native of Skibotn, is the one responsible for designing the Sami flag.
- We made a conscious decision to go with these tones. Each of the four colors—red, blue, green, and yellow—is represented on the flag, just as they are on the “kolt,” which is the traditional garment worn by Sami people.
- Even the tones have a significance. The color red represents fire, green represents flora, yellow represents the sun, and blue represents water; all of these things are essential to human survival.
- The moon, the stars, and the planets. Both the sun and the moon are represented by the circles on the flag.
- observances of religion that one is required to participate in under pain of legal sanction. Every municipal government building is required to fly both the Norwegian flag and the Sami flag in addition to the Norwegian flag.
How To Celebrate Sami National Day
Learn About The Sami Way Of Life
The Sami are primarily indigenous people and are still regarded as a minority, despite the fact that their culture is extremely rich and unique. It is worthwhile to acquire knowledge about the people who inhabit this culture.
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Take Some Reinsdyrkatt
Celebrate Sami National Day with a feast featuring traditional Sami fare. You might like the fish or the meal called reinsdyrkjtt, which is cooked with meat from reindeer and potatoes.
Put On The Clothing Of Your Culture
Dressing up in traditional Sami clothing (also referred to as gákti) is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Put on some traditional Sami clothing to demonstrate your appreciation for the region’s rich heritage and cutting-edge style.