The Saami Symbols
The Saami symbols are
The 18th Saami Conference 2004 decided that there will be established joint organ between Saami Council and the Saami Parliamentarian Council to formally manage the sybmols.
The Song "Sámi Soga Lávlla"
Far up North ’neath Ursa Major
Gently rises Saamiland.
Mountain upon mountain.
Lake upon lake.
Peaks, ridges and plateaus
Rising up to the skies.
Gurgling rivers, sighing forests.
Iron capes pointing sharp
Out towards the stormy sea.
Winter time with storm and cold
Fierce blizzards
Saami kin, with hearts and souls
Their lands do love
Moonlight for the traveller,
living Aurora flickering,
Grunt or reindeer heard in groves of birch,
Voices over lakes and open grounds,
Swish of sled on winter read.
Summer’s sun casts golden hues
On forests, seas and shores.
Fishermen in gold, swaying
with the golden seas, golden lakes.
Silver Saami rivers gurgling
’round sparkling poles, shining oars.
Singing, men float down
Rapids, great and small,
And waters calm.
Saamiland’s people
With unbending strength
defeated killing enemies, bad trades,
sly and evil thieves.
Hail thee, though Saami kin!
Hail thee. root of freedom!
Never was there battle,
Never brother’s blood was spilt
Amongst, the peaceful Saami kin.
Our ancestors long ago
Trouble makers did defeate.
Let us, brothers, also resist
Staunchly our Oppressors.
Oh, tough kin of the sun’s sons,
Never shall you he subdued
If you heed your golden Saami tongue,
Remember the ancestors’ word.
Saamiland for Saami!
English Translation from Saami by
Ragnar MÜller-Wille and Rauna Kuokkanen
Top
The Flag
|
|
The colours of the flag:
Pantone colour formula guide:
1. red: pantone 485C
2. green: pantone 356C
3. yellow: pantone 116C
4. blue: pantone 286C |
The Saami flag was inaugurated during the Saami Conference in Ĺre, Sweden on August 15, 1986. It was the result of a competition for which many suggestions were entered. The winning design was submitted by the artist Astrid Bĺhl from Skibotn, Norway.
The motif was derived from the shaman’s drum and the poem "Paiven parneh" (Sons of the Sun") by the south Saami Anders Fjellner (1795 -1876). Fjellner described the Saami as sons and daughters of the sun. The flag’s circle represents the sun (red) and the moon (blue). The flag has the Saami colours, red, green, yellow and blue.
Top
The Flagdays
The fifteenth Saami Conference in 1992 determined a total of seven official flagflying days for hoisting of the Saami flag. Since then other flag days have been added. The Saami flag may also be flown unofficially on special occasions, as are other national flags. The respective country’s rules regarding flags are applicable.
- February 6 The Saami national day
The first major Saami meeting in which both North and South Saami took part was held on February 6, 1917 in Trondheim, Norway. That was the first time that Saami from the whole Saami region came together to discuss Saami matters.
- March 2 The new Saami parliament was formed
The Saami parliament in Finland was established 2.3.1996.
- Mary’s day
A traditional Saami holiday. The Saami flag may be flown on Mary’s day of other countries where it falls on another date.
- St. John’s day
A general holiday. Tha saami flag may be flown on St. John’s day of other countries where it falls on another date.
- August 9 International Day of Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations declared the 9th of August to be the International day of indigenous peoples.
- August 15 The Saami flag’s inauguration day
The Saami flag inaugurated on August 15, 1986 during the thirteenth Saami Conference in Ĺre, Sweden.
- August 18 The Saami Council was formed
The Saami Council was officially founded on August 18, 1956 during the second Saami conference
in Karasjok, Norway.
- August 26 The Saami parliament was formed
The Saami parliament in Sweden was established on August 26, 1993.
- October 9 The Saami Parliamanet was formed
The Saami Parliament in Norway was established on October 9, 1989.
- November 9 The Saami Parliament was formed
In Finland the law establishing the Saami parliament was passed on November 9, 1973.
- November 15 Isak Saba’s birthday
The Saami conference in 1992 declared Isak Saba’s birthday to be also Saami flag day. Isak Saba was the author of the Saami national anthem.
The Sámi Duodji -trademark
Sorry! Available in Saami, Norwegian, Finnish and Russian. See the respective sites. Top
|
