Item of the month: Bible in Sámi
What's new
"An old Bible? What's the big deal?" you might be thinking. And that's true enough. But old writings in Sámi are not that common, as Sámi is based on oral storytelling tradition. It's only from the second half of the 20th century until today that we have standardized written language.
However, the Church was keen for everyone to embrace the Christian teachings*, and so printed Bibles in Sámi too - which are some of the first writings available in these languages. This beautiful leather-bound Bible was printed in 1811, and had metal clasps used to hold the book together. Now, however, only one of the two leather straps with its golden buckle remains. On the title page is written in squiggly letters "Lars Mattsson, Fastoudden Arjeploug January 12, 1839. Elsa Brita Mattsson, Fastoudden Arjeploug February 4."
The Bible has been on display for visitors to admire for nearly 60 years, in the so-called Furniture Room here at the museum, but is now moving to an exhibition where you can learn more about Pite Sami** - and maybe even take some new words home with you!
Burist båhtem!
*Christianization of the Sami was characterized by coercion and abuse, where the traditional way of life with an animistic view of the world was to be wiped out.
** Arjeplog lies at the intersection of Pite and Ume Sami, and today we also have North Sami as an area language.
