Project description
The role of Sami people in Fennoscandian farming society
The Sami people, indigenous to Finland, Norway, parts of Russia, and Sweden, are often seen as reindeer herders in remote areas. However, they have also been a part of farming societies dominated by other ethnic groups. This aspect of their history is largely overlooked. The ERC-funded SESAME project aims to uncover the hidden history of the Sami people living in farming areas before 1900 AD, focusing on their agency while considering external influences. It will provide an overview of the Sami population, redefine their historical geography, clarify migration dynamics, and explore processes of acculturation and assimilation. The project will also map connections between Sami populations in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, highlighting their role in Fennoscandian farming society.
Objective
The Sami, the indigenous population of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and parts of Russia, are usually perceived as a reindeer-herding, nomadic people living in barren mountains and forests. However, the Sami have also for a long time been a part of farming societies dominated by other ethnicities. Despite some research on the “Parish Sami” of Central Sweden, this part of rural history is generally ignored.
The SESAME project aims to unlock hidden history and deliver the first comprehensive study of the Sami living in farming areas before 1900 AD, with a focus on Sami agency without ignoring the importance of external factors. More specifically, SESAME will:
– Provide an extensive overview of the Sami population of farming areas.
– Redefine the historical geography of the Sami.
– Clarify the dynamics and drivers of migration.
– Develop methods to locate and investigate Sami dwelling sites.
– Assess the ethnic identity of individuals and describe processes of acculturation and assimilation.
– Map connections between the Sami populations of Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
– Provide a comprehensive synthesis on the role of Sami in Fennoscandian farming society.
The objectives of SESAME will be achieved through traditional historical research combined with linguistic and archaeological studies, as well as remote analysis, geographical information systems and methods of forest history. The project includes extensive cooperation with other interested parties and the creation of a network across Fennoscandia. The project team will consist of a PI with longtime experience of most of the sources and methods included, and two postdocs with complementary competencies.
The SESAME project will lay a solid foundation for future research, both on Sami and on other indigenous populations and on marginal groups, and provide a truer image of the rural history of Fennoscandia, where the part played by the Sami finally receives the recognition it deserves.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
901 87 UMEA
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.