Norway is also home to an indigenous Finno-Ugric group of people known as the Sami. For the most part, they inhabit Sapmi, which now encompasses most northern parts of the country, Finland, and Sweden.
The Sami have left behind a culture consisting of ancient sounds, a few native languages, and distinctive craftwork.
With that said, here are the top three facts that you need to know about these ethnic people and their cultures.
1. The joik has undergone a gradual renaissance.
The Sami people are widely known for creating a unique brand of folk music: the joik. Performed in dedication to a person, an animal, or a place, the joik is one of the oldest European song traditions.
2. The Sami people speak roughly nine different languages.
Although there are about nine Sami languages to date, they only speak at least five. The three most commonly used Sami languages in Norway are Lule Sami, Northern Sami, and Southern Sami. At the same time, the other remaining two are East Sami and Pite Sami.
3. The duodji is a Sami term for “craft.”
Aside from their joik folk music, the Sami have also handed down their signature craftwork to younger generations. The duodji, a Sami word that means craft, can be observed in accessories, clothing, and tools.