Sámi Agriculture and Ritual Practice in the Middle Ages

Abstract

The article describes the coastal Sámi population with a focus on Hamarøy municipality, northern Norway. Based on written sources from the 15th to 16th centuries, an agricultural economy is described, including both grain cultivation and livestock farming. Through minor excavations of settlement mounds and pollen analyses, it is argued that this economy, as described in written sources, has roots back to the Middle Ages. Livestock farming was introduced in the early part of the Middle Ages, but hunting, trapping, and fishing remained important. From around AD 1350, it is likely that grain cultivation was established. In the second part of the article, it is discussed whether a change in the economy led to other changes in the culture. By analyzing cultural heritage sites in the same area from the Middle Ages to more recent times, the discussion revolves around whether the changes led to changes in ritual practices.