E.A. Draffan
Discovering Sami Symbols
The Sami people live in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia herding reindeer, fishing and crafting. There are nine Sámi languages and three of them are spoken in Finland and their use of symbols reflect identity, spirituality, and storytelling traditions and often appear on their clothing (gákti)and crafts (duodji) and sacred objects like drums.
Perhaps this allows us to say this means that the pictographic symbols can be described as both alternative and augmentative forms of communication, including sounds and gestures.
Sami drum probably from Arjeplog in Pite Lappmark, Sweden
Understanding Sami Symbols
- Sacred Drums Sami drums (goavddis) play a role in rituals, connecting them to spiritual realms. Drum patterns often provide a visual representation of important elements of life such as:
- Sun and Moon: Symbols of natural cycles.
- Reindeer: A key to survival.
- Shamanic Figures: Links to the spirit world.
- Four Directions: Representing balance in nature.
Joik Singing Joik, a Sami singing style that uses symbolic sounds to tell stories and bring out the meaning of different people, places, or animals.
Duodji Patterns Patterns in Sami crafts that represent different things e.g.
- Triangles and Diamonds: Represent mountains and the sky.
- Lines: Symbolize continuity.
- Colours: Red, green, yellow, and blue reflect fire, forests, the sun, and water.
Sami Symbols Today
Designers and creators use Sami symbols to share their cultural stories making them part of the modern art scene. However, Sami symbols are more than art; they remain vital to the understanding the way the Sami people work with nature and are vital for their cultural preservation. In many ways where possible they highlight the importance of visually linking pictographic AAC symbols to users' local situations and society.
When visiting Sápmi we were lucky to see Polaris (now the name of the Arctic Circle Globe sculpture), the Northern Lights, reindeer and eat cloudberries!
