the Sami & Santa Claus

[-Kenny-]

How do the Sami people feel about Santa Claus living in Lappland ?
Was he living there all the time ?
If yes, then, he's Sami, correct ?
If no, then, who is he and how did he get there ?

[bosse_s]

Now that is a good question, Kenny!

To avoid any political or ethnical clashes, Santa lives in the beautiful county of Dalarna since 1984. He have his home by the beutiful lake Siljan, where there is no Sami at all (apart from back in the time of acid rain from Tjernobyl where the sami's moved south, all the way towards Santa's favourite county).

Before that, Santa lived on the North Pole, which isn't quite Samiland.

However, the reason he moved was not political though! Santa wanted to have a bit milder climate and enjoy the beauty of Dalarna.

You can visit him at http://www.santaworld.se/default.asp

[-Kenny-]

Thank you, it was VERY informative.
I checked that link, it's a nice place Santa has chosen to live in. I hope tourists don't destroy it too much.

cheers

[glendg]

Do you guys seriously believe in Santa Claus?

[bosse_s]

Off course! I have met him, well actually I have even worked for him. One day after hard work at his home, he gave me a ride home in his yellow Volvo 144 with "keps". I am a living proof that Santa exists.

[crankycrow]

First of all, the word "Lappland" is not a polite term. The correct name is Samiland. Lappland or Lapplander are actually a racist term. The names were created by Swedish government and Christians because they wanted to wipe the Sami people out. The Sami have been dealing with racism since the Christians arrived in Scandinavia. They lost their original earth based religion and are still discriminated against. Sami shamans and drums were burned during the inquisition period and Sami had to choose between converting to Christianity or being burned. Thankfully, the culture and Sami people have survived to this day.

Second, if you want information on the origins of Santa Claus read the book, "When Santa (Claus) was a Shaman". The author traces Santa Claus back to the pagan era or when Europe was filled with wandering tribes. He claims that Santa Claus' origins are in Holland, not from a Scandinavian country.

The book is fascinating and I think you would enjoy reading it.

[bosse_s]

I think you are making it a bit to easy. using "Lapp" is not racist today. According to recent studies (Inger Persson) - the distinction between sami and lapp becomes different if you look at what it actually means for people (sami) of today:

"Sami" is attached to a lot symbolism, such as the sami flag, the sami craftwork, the jojk and the language. Those who use this, is called "sami". This might create the situation that those sami who not totally live by these symbols is not "qualified" for being "sami".

For many sami, the word "sami" comes with a lot of expectations attached to it. A "sami" should know everything about the culture, and live like a "sami". Many sami actually prefer calling them self "lapp" to avoid this stigmatization. Then "lapp" would indicate an ethnical belonging, rather than the lifestyle that the person chose to live.

[janyn]

I think that Santa Claus doesn't really exist, or if he does, he have split personalities. When I hear the word Santa Claus I usually associate it with the Christmas spirit, fun, joyful, giving, forgiving and etc. I think that there are lots of Santa Claus in this world.