The Sámi are the only indigenous people within the European Union area and are indigenous Finno-Ugric people which lived in northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The total Sámi population is estimated to be approximately 80,000, with the majority living in Norway.

The Sámi people are the descendants of nomadic peoples who had inhabited northern Scandinavia for thousands of years.

Until very recently reindeer herding was the basis of the Sami economy and you can still explore the Sami people and see how they have lived together with their reindeer.

Map of Lapland in Norway, Sweden and Finland

Sami-festivals

If you want to know more about Sami culture and traditions it is a good start to join a festival.

On the Sami national day on 6 February, you can attend the Sami festival in Tromsø which celebrates the Sammies for a week.

Another festival is in July,  the international indigenous festival Riddu Riđđu Festivàla​ in Manndalen in Troms.

See more: Sami people in Norway

See also:  Sami people in Finland

See also: Sami people in Sweden