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In my ignorance of Sámi life and culture I can’t help but think “what a terribly cold and squalid existence”! Apart from elk, fish, berries and a handful of ha

In my ignorance of Sámi life and culture I can’t help but think “what a terribly cold and squalid existence”! Apart from elk, fish, berries and a handful of hardy veggies, what did they eat?

Mediterraneo10 6y ago
Reindeer. For the last several centuries before modernity totally overtook them, the Saami had established an economic niche as reindeer herders, and before they domesticated reindeer they hunted wild ones. Also, Arctic peoples often traded with other peoples for bread, which could be stored frozen for weeks and thawed when needed. Lapland is definitely cold and stays cold longer than southern parts, but the Saami weren't living in all that much colder conditions than your average Finnish peasant from Karelia or Ostrobothnia.
ftyers 6y ago
They are traditionally reindeer herders. There is a page on Wikipedia about Sámi cuisine you can check out. If you are interested, you could also check out the films Kukuška (2002) and Ofelaš (1987).
maxerickson 6y ago
I enjoyed watching "New Scandinavian Cooking" on PBS. I like to joke about how excited the hosts got about vegetables, but it kind of makes people mad. 10 minutes of television and then there is a big reveal for the carrot.
ripe 6y ago
I loved this thriller novel: Forty Days Without Shadow, by Olivier Truc. It's about two police detectives in Norway's northern Finnmark county. The book offers a fascinating introduction to the way of life of the Sami people and their land, Sápmi. I'd love to visit there someday. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/le-dernier-lapon_olivier-truc/8898527 https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/le-dernier-lapon_olivier-truc/...
chrisco255 6y ago
They seem pretty happy though. I bet you they're happier than the average 1st worlder. And they still exist, by the way. They mainly eat reindeer meat.
- Yaggo 6y ago
  Sámi people still exists, sure, but their culture has changed a lot, naturally. They live in modern houses, use snow mobiles and helicopters for herding the reindeers (many work in "regular" jobs), buy most food from shops just as anyone else. Of course they are well aware of their roots and proud of their history. Just an anecdote: my grandmother was born as Sámi, so I could officially have the Sámi status as well (but my kids not anymore), although I don't speak the language nor have much connections with the culture.

In my ignorance of Sámi life and culture I can’t help but think “what a terribly cold and squalid existence”! Apart from elk, fish, berries and a handful of hardy veggies, what did they eat?

Mediterraneo10 6y ago

Reindeer. For the last several centuries before modernity totally overtook them, the Saami had established an economic niche as reindeer herders, and before they domesticated reindeer they hunted wild ones. Also, Arctic peoples often traded with other peoples for bread, which could be stored frozen for weeks and thawed when needed. Lapland is definitely cold and stays cold longer than southern parts, but the Saami weren't living in all that much colder conditions than your average Finnish peasant from Karelia or Ostrobothnia.

ftyers 6y ago

They are traditionally reindeer herders. There is a page on Wikipedia about Sámi cuisine you can check out. If you are interested, you could also check out the films Kukuška (2002) and Ofelaš (1987).

maxerickson 6y ago

I enjoyed watching "New Scandinavian Cooking" on PBS. I like to joke about how excited the hosts got about vegetables, but it kind of makes people mad. 10 minutes of television and then there is a big reveal for the carrot.

ripe 6y ago

I loved this thriller novel: Forty Days Without Shadow, by Olivier Truc. It's about two police detectives in Norway's northern Finnmark county. The book offers a fascinating introduction to the way of life of the Sami people and their land, Sápmi. I'd love to visit there someday. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/le-dernier-lapon_olivier-truc/8898527 https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/le-dernier-lapon_olivier-truc/...

chrisco255 6y ago

They seem pretty happy though. I bet you they're happier than the average 1st worlder. And they still exist, by the way. They mainly eat reindeer meat.

Yaggo 6y ago
Sámi people still exists, sure, but their culture has changed a lot, naturally. They live in modern houses, use snow mobiles and helicopters for herding the reindeers (many work in "regular" jobs), buy most food from shops just as anyone else. Of course they are well aware of their roots and proud of their history. Just an anecdote: my grandmother was born as Sámi, so I could officially have the Sámi status as well (but my kids not anymore), although I don't speak the language nor have much connections with the culture.