Forest Sami Exhibition – History, Language and Culture

The exhibition ”Forest Samis – history, language, culture” provides an overview based on academic research into the historical phases of the indigenous population of central Lapland. The exhibition has been curated by the award-winning historian, Professor Maria Lähteenmäki, and is on display in Sodankylä at the Sodankylä Museum-Gallery Andreas Alariesto.
The core content and themes of the exhibition are divided as follows:

Daily Life and Beliefs

• Historical Sources: The exhibition sheds light on the lives of the Samis in the forest regions of central Lapland and their descendants from the 1550s onwards, reflecting it through old tax books, population registers, and land records.
• Cultural Practices: In addition to daily chores, traditional beliefs such as sieidi worship and various underworld beliefs are brought to light.

Clothing Traditions and Identity

• Traditional Costumes: The exhibition showcases the Forest Sami clothing traditions. Attire and dress heritage serve as a vital part of making the cultural identity visible and revitalizing it.

The Fate of the Kemi Sami Language and Culture

• Becoming Invisible: One of the core themes of the exhibition is to trace how the distinctive culture and language of the Kemi Lappmark region gradually became invisible over the course of history.
• External Factors: This fading was influenced by heavy migration from both south and north, the devastation of the Lapland War, and subsequent industrial land use in the region.