The Mystery of the Uniqueness of the Religious Consciousness of Saami

Abstract

The article explores the religious ideas of the Saami. Since ancient times the Saami have been considered the most powerful and skilled sorcerers in Europe. The researchers note the special richness and complexity of Sami paganism. Under the pressure from Scandinavian Germanic tribes and Slavs, this small and peaceful people was gradually pushed back to the northern part of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula. In the 14th – 15th centuries, the Saami were subjected to Christian missionary work by the Swedes, the Norwegians and the Russians. Some of the Saami adopted Christianity, while the pagan ideas of the others were influenced by Christianity. Under Soviet rule, the Saami were subjected to mass migrations, political repression and forced atheization. Positive changes in the life of the Saami occurred during perestroika, in the late 1980s and 90s. At that time, there was a rise in national and civil consciousness. Perestroika in Russia coincided with the rise of the national Saami movement in the Scandinavian countries. At last, the Nordic countries went for the organization of Saami elected bodies – parliaments, democratically defending Saami interests. These "parliaments" actually have only consultative rights and no real political powers. Perestroika opened up state borders and the Kola Saami began to receive not only humanitarian aid from neighbouring countries, but also their enthusiasm for national revival. Public activists, scientists, journalists and artists came from Norway, Finland and Sweden. On this national wave there is also a religious revival of pagan beliefs. The leader of the Saami Parliament, Valentina Sovkina, plays a leading role in the national movement and in the revival of paganism. The Saami movement has found itself in a confrontation with the Murmansk provincial authorities, but with the beginning of the Governorate of Andrei Chibis, a tendency towards constructive interaction has been outlined.