Sámi National Day 2024: The Sámi people celebrate their culture on February 6th, which is known as Sámi National Day. The first Sámi conference was held in Trondheim, Norway, on this day in 1917. “Samenes Nasjonaldag” is another name for the national holiday. The indigenous Sámi people, known as “Urbefolkning” in Norwegian, are primarily found in Norway but are also found in Finland, Russia, and Sweden.
Sámi National Day History
The first gathering of Sámi from the North and the South took place in Trondheim, Norway, on February 6, 1917. In a historically significant way, the community’s shared issues were discussed and addressed as they collaborated to find answers. According to the most recent data, an estimated 80,000 Sami people are living in the four nations: 2,000 in Sweden, 8,000 in Finland, 20,000 in Norway, and 2,000 in Russia.
During the 15th Sami summit in Helsinki in 1992, Sami National Day was established. At one point in history, the Sami people were despised as the united minority of four nations. They were subjected to a great deal of legislation to shape them into the majority. This made it necessary to set aside a day specifically to honor them. On February 6, 1993, the first Sámi National Day was celebrated. Concurrently, Sweden was declared the International Year of Indigenous People by the United Nations.
The Sami people who live in Norway have been celebrating this event in style ever since. Everywhere you look, you can see the Sami flag, and the national anthem is chanted and sung in Sami.
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A Guide To Sámi National Day Observance
Study up on the Sami people.
The Sami people are primarily indigenous and are still regarded as a minority, despite having a vibrant and distinctive culture. Study up on their history and customs.
Consume “reinsdyrkjøtt.”
On Sami National Day, indulge in the regional specialties. Try the fish and reindeer meat, or reinsdyrkjøtt.
Put on traditional attire.
Wearing the traditional Sami “gákti” is the perfect way to get into the mood of the day. Show respect for the Sami culture and history by dressing in traditional Sami attire.
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Five Fascinating Facts Regarding the Sami Flag
- Astrid Bhl, a Norwegian designer from Skibotn, was the one who created the Sami people’s flag.
- The colors of the flag—red, blue, green, and yellow—match those of the traditional Sami “kolt” outfit.
- The colors red, green, yellow, and blue stand for vital elements that are necessary for life: fire, plants, sunlight, and water.
- The sun and moon are shown as circles on the flag.
- Both the Sami and Norwegian flags must fly from municipal administrative buildings.
Reasons Why Sámi National Day Matters
It honors a marginalized community.
On this day, the Sami people are widely honored throughout the region, but things weren’t always like that. We’ve all been in the community long enough to know that appreciation is something that needs to be given!
It’s a significant holiday.
Sami For Norwegians, National Day is an extremely significant occasion overall. It is perfect for understanding the historical, cultural, and value foundations of the nation.
Shattering obstacles
Globalization is progressively removing boundaries and embracing individuals for their true selves. Sami National Day is one of the days that promotes the acknowledgment that indigenous people and minorities deserve.
SAMI NATIONAL DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February 6 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | February 6 | Thursday |
| 2026 | February 6 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 6 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 6 | Sunday |
