Posted on 04/05/2008 10:00:16 AM PDT by SeafoodGumbo
We've all seen the Absolut Vodka ad which shows Aztlan having taken over a huge section of the US.
Absolut, being a Swedish vodka, might want to look at how their country has treated the Sami (Lapps) through history. Are there any FR Photoshoppers who could mimic the Absolut Aztlan ad, only showing Scandinavia with the country of Sweden vastly shrunken to reflect the new nation of Lappland or Samiland?
The Swedes appropriated land from the Sami and also used them as forced labor in mines at one time, so who are these clowns to lecture us about anything?
Here's a few passages I found on the Web and some maps that might be useful:
If anyone can find a better map of the historical distribution of the Sami, please post it in the comments.
The Absolut ad:
During the Viking Age -and later- in the Middle Ages, Sweden was only about a third of it's present size, the northern 2/3 of the country was populated by the Sami. Even though the Sami tales about the Stalo suggests that there was a long-lasting conflict with the Vikings. The Sami's also traded first with Vikings and later with travelers from northern Europe such as tradesmen from the Hanseatic league.As a result of these contacts the Sami society took a cultural leap from a predominately stone age society and even developed a monetary system of their own -a little known fact- the currency was named tjoervie btw. Animal hides and furs were the most common commoditys that was traded for salt, coins (often used as ornaments) and different kind of metal blades. The handicrafted Sami knifes developed its present form during this age.
1Note: The word Skridfinns translates into Ski-, and -finn a word in still in use in Norway since Finn is a pseudonym for Sami in the Norwegian language, one of the most northern territorys is called Finnmark one of the few areas where the Sami's still are in majority. 1542: The Swedish King Gustav Vasa declares that 'All unused lands belongs to God, us and the Swedish Crown' (ie: the King). An uncanny resemblance with what was said about the North American continent at about the same time -don't you think?
1603: The first church is built in "Lapland".
1635: The mine in Nasafjäll is opened and the Sami's is coerced to work both in the mine and with the transports of ore, those who refused to work was cruelly punished. This slavemine is perhaps the worst atrocity committed by the Swedish government. Many Sami's flee from the the area, so a large part of the provinces previously used by Pite and Lule Sami's is depopulated. The government sends troops to prevent the Sami's from fleeing.
1673: The official start of colonization of the Sami area, the idea is encourage settlers to move to the northern regions by granting land- and waterrights as well as tax-allowances. The settlers moved into the areas "unused" by the Sami's, farming and cattleranches was a source of livelihood which contrasted strongly with the traditional Sami lifestyle. More importantly is that the farmers hunting brought several species to the brink of extinction, among them the beaver. The economic foundation of the Sami hunting culture was destroyed and starvation becomes widespread among the Sami's.
More Sami history can be found here.
Which vodka ads had the incredibly hot Czar with the Borzois sitting at his feet?
Headline Prediction:
“Belaya RUS to expand capacity”
LMAO! That's perfect.
Ugh!
Wrong guy!
This dude looked like Edward Mulhare and always had white Borzois flanking his throne.
Totally cool ads from back in the 70s.
(I learned that "sami" are the people. "Sapmi" is the geographical area.)
Hell of a job, lowbridge!
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