Sámi Culture & the History of Lapland
Understanding the indigenous people and living heritage of the land where Kettura's cabins stand.
The Sámi People
The Sámi are the indigenous people of northern Europe, inhabiting Sápmi — a region spanning northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Their presence here predates national borders by thousands of years. With roots traceable to the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago, they are among the oldest cultures in Europe.
Today, approximately 100,000 Sámi live across the four countries, with around 10,000 in Finland. About 10% are involved in reindeer herding — their most well-known livelihood — but Sámi people work in every profession and live modern lives while maintaining strong cultural identity.
The Sámi have their own parliament (Sámediggi) in Finland, their own flag, and their national day is February 6th. The Finnish constitution recognises the Sámi as an indigenous people with the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture.
The Sámi flag, adopted in 1986, represents the Sámi people across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
The Uralic Language Family
The Sámi languages belong to the Uralic language family — one of the world's major language families, entirely separate from the Indo-European languages spoken across most of Europe. Finnish and Sámi are distant cousins within this family.
Uralic
├── Finno-Ugric
├── Finnic (Finnish, Estonian, Karelian)
├── Sámi (Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi + 6 others)
└── Ugric (Hungarian, Khanty, Mansi)
├── Samoyedic (Nenets, Selkup)
└── (debated branches)
What's remarkable is that Finnish, Sámi, and Hungarian share ancient roots — despite the vast distances between Finland and Hungary. This deep linguistic connection stretches back thousands of years to proto-Uralic speakers likely living in the Ural Mountains region.
There are nine living Sámi languages, three of which are spoken in Finland: Northern Sámi (the most widely spoken, ~25,000 speakers), Inari Sámi (~400 speakers), and Skolt Sámi (~300 speakers). These are critically endangered languages, and their preservation is a vital cultural effort.
You'll notice Sámi language on road signs in northern Lapland, alongside Finnish.
The Eight Sámi Seasons
The Sámi languages have over 200 words for snow and ice. They also use an eight-season calendar tied to the reindeer migration cycle:
Dálvve
Winter
Gidádálvve
Spring-winter
Gijdda
Spring
Giđđageaŋŋa
Early summer
Geaŋŋa
Summer
Čakča
Late summer
Čakčadálvve
Autumn
Giđđadálvve
Early winter
Reindeer Herding Culture
Reindeer herding is central to Sámi identity. It's not just agriculture — it's a worldview. In Sámi culture, reindeer are sacred. Nothing from a slaughtered animal goes to waste: meat for food, hides for clothing and shelter, bones and antlers for tools and handicrafts, sinews for sewing.
In Finland, the reindeer herding area covers most of Lapland. Unlike Norway and Sweden, Finnish law doesn't restrict reindeer herding to Sámi people — ethnic Finns also participate. But the practice remains deeply associated with Sámi heritage. There are around 200,000 reindeer in Finnish Lapland today.
Two key events mark the herding calendar: the calf marking in summer (June–August) when herders gather reindeer in the high fells, and the round-up/separation in autumn (November–December). If you're driving in Lapland, you will encounter reindeer on the roads — they have right of way.
It is taboo in Sámi culture to ask how many reindeer a person owns — it's considered equivalent to asking someone their bank balance.
Duodji — Sámi Handicrafts
Duodji (handicraft) is a living art form rooted in survival. Traditional items include:
Kuksa
Hand-carved birch burl drinking cups — perhaps the most iconic Sámi craft
Knives
With reindeer antler handles and decorated sheaths
Woven birch baskets
Traditional containers for carrying and storing
Jewellery
Using silver, tin thread, and reindeer leather
Gákti
The traditional Sámi clothing, with colours and patterns indicating region and family
Authentic duodji can be found in local craft shops in Levi and the Ylläs area. Look for the Sámi Duodji trademark for certified authentic handicrafts.
Joik — Sámi Musical Tradition
Joik (or yoik) is one of the oldest musical traditions in Europe. It's not singing about something — it's singing the essence of something. A joik can evoke a person, an animal, a place, or a feeling. Each joik is unique and personal.
Modern Sámi artists blend joik with contemporary music — artists like Mari Boine and Wimme Saari have brought joik to international audiences.
The Fox Connection
“In Sámi tradition, the fox (rieban) is a clever, respected animal. One of Lapland's most beloved legends tells of the tulikettu — the firefox — a magical giant fox that runs through the snowy fells of the far north. As it runs, its tail brushes against the snow, sending sparks into the sky. These sparks become the northern lights.
The Finnish word for northern lights — revontulet — literally means ‘fox's fires’. At Kettura, named for the Finnish word for fox, you're staying in the landscape where this story was born.”
Visiting Sámi Culture
Sámi-run and Sámi-focused experiences near our cabins
Samiland Exhibition
Levi Summit (Panorama Hotel)
UNESCO project. Indoor exhibition on Sámi history, beliefs, and reindeer herding. Outdoor collection of traditional kota huts. Feed reindeer.
Visit website →Fell Lapland Visitor Centre (Kellokas)
Äkäslompolo (Ylläs)
Free Vuovjjuš–Kulkijat exhibition on Sámi culture and fell nature. Changing art exhibitions. Run by Metsähallitus.
Visit website →Reindeer Farm Visits
Various, near Levi & Ylläs
Visit working reindeer herds, learn about herding culture, take sleigh rides. Multiple family-run operations near both resorts.
Siida Museum
Inari (3.5h drive north)
The premier Sámi museum in Finland. Extensive collection and outdoor trail. Worth a day trip for those deeply interested.
Visit website →Sámi Parliament (Sámediggi)
Inari
The political heart of Finnish Sámi self-governance. The building itself is architecturally significant.
Local Craft Shops
Levi & Ylläs villages
Authentic duodji handicrafts — look for the Sámi Duodji trademark for certified authentic pieces.
Kittilä & Kolari — Local History
Kittilä
Municipality of ~7,000 people covering 8,000 sq km. Named "pure gold" — the Kittilä gold mine (Suurikuusikko) is the largest gold mine in Europe. Gold was found here in the 1860s and the area has a rich gold-panning history. The municipality includes Levi ski resort at the village of Sirkka.
Kolari
Municipality on the Swedish border, home to Ylläs. Finland's most northern railway station is here. It connects straight to Helsinki by overnight train. The Tornio-Muonio river on the Swedish border is one of Europe's last major free-flowing rivers and a famous salmon fishing spot.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Set up in 1938 (as Pallas-Ounastunturi), it is one of Finland's first national parks. The fell chain has been a travel route for thousands of years. First came the Sámi herders, then traders, and now hikers who follow the same ancient paths.
World War II & Reconstruction
Lapland was hit hard during the Lapland War (1944–45). Retreating German troops burned nearly every building in the region. Rebuilding Lapland is one of Finland's great post-war stories. Very few pre-war buildings survive in Kittilä or Kolari.
Respecting the Culture
A gentle note for visitors:
- •The Sámi are a living people, not a historical exhibit. Treat cultural experiences as you would visiting any community — with curiosity, respect, and humility.
- •The term "Lapp" or "Laplander" is considered offensive. Use "Sámi".
- •Don't photograph Sámi people in traditional dress without asking permission.
- •Support Sámi-owned businesses when possible. Look for the Sámi Duodji trademark on handicrafts.
- •If attending a cultural event, listen more than you speak. Let your hosts guide the experience.