Sami Cosmology and the Myths of the Wilderness

Jämtland and Härjedalen have a deep Sami history, and many of the region's myths and essences have roots in Sami cosmology. Here, the mysticism of nature meets the spirituality of Sami belief, where every mountain, stone and lake carries a soul. This post explores how Sami concepts such as Sájvva and seitar have influenced folk beliefs and stories that still survive today.

Sájvva – The world beneath our world

Sájvva is a parallel spirit world that in Sami belief is believed to be close to our own. Certain places in nature, such as caves, lakes and mountains, act as gateways to this hidden world. Spirits, ancestors and beings are said to live there and sometimes interact with humans.

"My grandfather always said that the cave by the mountain was a gateway to Sájvva – and that you should never disturb it," says an elderly resident from Härjedalen.

Sájvva in folk belief

Many myths about beings such as the vitra and the näcken bear traces of Sájvva. They are considered to live close to us, but not fully in our world, which reinforces their mystery and invisible power.

Seitar – Sacred places in nature

Seitar are large rocks or other natural formations that were used as sacred places in Sami belief. Offerings were left here to appease the spirits and ensure hunting success or protection.

"There was always a special stone in the forest that we didn't touch. Grandpa said it was sacred," says a local storyteller from Jämtland.

Seitar in modern myths

Today, seita lives on in folklore as symbols of the power of nature. Many of the places said to be home to the forest rået or Näcken have a similar character to the original seita.

Explore Sami cosmology in the region's landscape

• Caves and lakes: Visit places connected to legends about Sájvva.
• Mountains with history: Explore mountains like Sonfjället, where many stories about sacred places still live on.

Termination

Sami cosmology is a central part of the cultural heritage of Jämtland and Härjedalen. By returning to these roots, we can understand how the myths of beings and spirits have been shaped by the region's history and landscape.

Sources and references

1. Manker, Ernst. Die lappische Zaubertrommel (1947).
2. Schefferus, Johannes. Lapland (1673).
3. Holm Bull, Ella. Sami tales and legends .
4. Swedish Sami Federation, material about Sami traditions.
5. The region's documentation of folk beliefs in Härjedalen and Jämtland.