Nature is our culture
The bedrock, the type of soil and prevailing climate determine the development of vegetation, which in turn determines animal life. Everything living - animals, birds, insects down to the smallest organism, influence their surroundings. An example is of course humans. All the land in Sápmi is influenced directly or indirectly by human activities. What has happened in a place in the environment is not always visible or evident to the untrained eye. The vestiges of human occupation are often hard to see or interpret.
When you look for a dry hill on which to put your tent you are doing what generations before you have done. Where you put your tent may be the place where hunters from the Stone Age or reindeer herders from the 18th century had their settlements. The half hidden hearthstones tell a tale of those who have been there before.
We want to show you culture that you encounter in the landscape, a landscape where humans for thousands of years have left such discreet traces that they are nearly invisible. We want to show you living history here in Sápmi, let you experience those who have walked here before us. We also want to show you natural phenomena unique in Europe. It is a spectacular vast landscape often without roads. Plant and animal life are basically untouched by modern industry.
We want you to see why we Sámi consider culture and nature as one and ourselves part of all that exist, all that has existed and all that will be.
Published 796 days ago by lennart.pittja
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