@Bloodblender Important thing to remember is that the Lapland (which, back then, meant 'land inhabited by Lapps', not the same what we mean by Lapland today) did not belong to any state. They had taxing rights, but the land was owned by Sami and there were laws to protect them. It was basically a reservate. Rulers of yore were extremely conservative - if there was a law, no matter how ancient and stupid, it was upheld and Sami lands were protected even though they had no military power. It was only in 17th century when this began to change, kings became more powerful and began to see Lapland as a colony to be exploited and colonized. This spelled doom for Sami culture, especially Forest Sami, who were easily supplanted or assimilated. The mountain Sami, or High Lapps, were more resistant to change which is why most Sami today are them, and originally much larger groups have disappeared. This creates an illusion that Sápmi is only a small sliver of land in falls of the Northern Lapland (as shown in horribly inaccurate Wikipedia map) when in reality they encompassed an enormous territory ranging from Norway to Russia.
As per their own legends, Sami themselves are invaders, they tell stories of pre-existing race of giant men (Stallu) who inhabited Scandinavia before them. The legends probably are true since there are LOTS of ancient words in Sami language with unknown origin - likely borrowed from predecessor peoples.
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@Bloodblender Important thing to remember is that the Lapland (which, back then, meant 'land inhabited by Lapps', not the same what we mean by Lapland today) did not belong to any state. They had taxing rights, but the land was owned by Sami and there were laws to protect them. It was basically a reservate. Rulers of yore were extremely conservative - if there was a law, no matter how ancient and stupid, it was upheld and Sami lands were protected even though they had no military power. It was only in 17th century when this began to change, kings became more powerful and began to see Lapland as a colony to be exploited and colonized. This spelled doom for Sami culture, especially Forest Sami, who were easily supplanted or assimilated. The mountain Sami, or High Lapps, were more resistant to change which is why most Sami today are them, and originally much larger groups have disappeared. This creates an illusion that Sápmi is only a small sliver of land in falls of the Northern Lapland (as shown in horribly inaccurate Wikipedia map) when in reality they encompassed an enormous territory ranging from Norway to Russia.
As per their own legends, Sami themselves are invaders, they tell stories of pre-existing race of giant men (Stallu) who inhabited Scandinavia before them. The legends probably are true since there are LOTS of ancient words in Sami language with unknown origin - likely borrowed from predecessor peoples.