Lectures and presentations
The Saami Written Culture in the Finnish part of the Sápmi: a diverging approach from the mainstream research
All experts: Saami Written culture, Saami education
Activity details
Nature of event: Scientific conference
Name of event: SAALS: 6th Saami Linguistics Symposium
Presentation type: Other public presentation
Start date: 06/11/2024
End date: 07/11/2024
Year: 2024
Description
The first Saami books were published in the objective to “civilize” the inhabitants – the Saamis –of the Swedish kingdom, but they unfolded more significantly after the foundation of a special administration responsible of the education of the Saamis by the Swedish clergy. After Finland having been handed over to Russia, the Saami affairs of the ones living in the Finnish part of the Sápmi were under the supervision of the chapter of Turku, who was not so much interested to develop Saami education. During the era of the Grand Duchy of Finland, Saami books were published only sporadically and in too few exemplars.
This history reflects the colonial policy prevailing in the Northern Europe with the intervention of various institutions such as the Directorate for the Ecclesiastical Mission in Lapmark at the Swedish time and the British and Foreign Bible Society at the beginning of the 19th century in Finland. But the Saami Written Culture unfolded more significantly when the Saamis themselves were able to participate to its development. The Saami Written Culture history diverge from the mainstream book history research, which distinctions should enlighten. However, in this history the focus shall be on the too long silenced history, especially on the role of the Saamis by observing how the current policy enabled or interfered the unfolding of this written culture.
This history reflects the colonial policy prevailing in the Northern Europe with the intervention of various institutions such as the Directorate for the Ecclesiastical Mission in Lapmark at the Swedish time and the British and Foreign Bible Society at the beginning of the 19th century in Finland. But the Saami Written Culture unfolded more significantly when the Saamis themselves were able to participate to its development. The Saami Written Culture history diverge from the mainstream book history research, which distinctions should enlighten. However, in this history the focus shall be on the too long silenced history, especially on the role of the Saamis by observing how the current policy enabled or interfered the unfolding of this written culture.
Main country visited: Finland (FI)
