The Sami of Northern Europe

The Semi live in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. There are only about thirty-two thousand (32,000) of them, and most of them live a modern life on the coast or in the forests. Only a few of them live a traditional life. These few mountain Sami are called nomads because they move from one place to another with their reindeer. Their life is almost the same as it was a thousand years ago.

In winter the reindeer dig through the snow to find plants for their food. In spring these plants become very dry, and there are lots of insects. Then the Sami move their reindeer to the coast. The deer live on the thick grass there until winter. When the snow becomes deep, the Sami and their reindeer begin moving slowly back to their winter homes. There is less snow there.

These nomads live in tents because they move so often. They make shoes, jackets, and pants of reindeer skin. They also wear beautiful blue and red traditional clothes. They walk or travel on skis. They have sleds too. Reindeer pull the sleds.

The long trips, often in stormy weather, make life very hard for these nomads. More and more people are staying in villages on the coast. Sometimes a mother and her children travel by car and meet the father in their winter home.

There will probadly be no more Sami nomads in the future. People want a more comfortable life. However, the Sami will probably always wear their traditional clothes on holidays. They will teach their children the old stories and songs. People do not want to forget their traditions.