Sami
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Sami
In the whole of Lapland there are 30,000-32,000 Sami (Lapps), some 20,000 of them in Norway and 8,500 in Sweden. They call themselves Sabmek (singular Sameh), the "bog people". Their origins are obscure; they are short in stature, round-headed and broad-faced, with yellowish skin and dark hair. Their language is related to Finnish. Although Christian missions to the Sami began in the 17th century they have preserved certain pagan practices. Three broad groups of Sami are distinguished: the nomadic Mountain Sami, now steadily declining in numbers, who move between the forest and mountain regions with their herds of reindeer in regular migrations; the Forest Sami, who live a settled life with their herds in particular areas; and the Lake or Fishing Sami, who live by fishing.
Costume
The characteristic Sami costume, which differs little between men and women, consists of a knee-length skirt of blue or brown material, with red and yellow trimming, and close-fitting trousers, with a cap of the same material (which in Norway has four stiffened points and in Sweden is tall and topped with a red ball of wool). The shoes are of soft reindeer-skin, with turned-up toes (gabmagak; skalkomager, skin boots). The winter garment is of reindeer skin.
In the whole of Lapland there are 30,000-32,000 Sami (Lapps), some 20,000 of them in Norway and 8,500 in Sweden. They call themselves Sabmek (singular Sameh), the "bog people". Their origins are obscure; they are short in stature, round-headed and broad-faced, with yellowish skin and dark hair. Their language is related to Finnish. Although Christian missions to the Sami began in the 17th century they have preserved certain pagan practices. Three broad groups of Sami are distinguished: the nomadic Mountain Sami, now steadily declining in numbers, who move between the forest and mountain regions with their herds of reindeer in regular migrations; the Forest Sami, who live a settled life with their herds in particular areas; and the Lake or Fishing Sami, who live by fishing.
Costume
The characteristic Sami costume, which differs little between men and women, consists of a knee-length skirt of blue or brown material, with red and yellow trimming, and close-fitting trousers, with a cap of the same material (which in Norway has four stiffened points and in Sweden is tall and topped with a red ball of wool). The shoes are of soft reindeer-skin, with turned-up toes (gabmagak; skalkomager, skin boots). The winter garment is of reindeer skin.
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