Samediggi

Samediggi is the Sami word for a traditional Sami assembly or council. Historically, these gatherings served as important political, legal, and social institutions for the Sami people, who inhabit the Sápmi region across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The exact form and function of samediggi varied depending on the specific Sami community and the historical period, but they generally involved communal decision-making and the resolution of disputes.

These assemblies were often convened to address issues concerning land use, reindeer herding practices, and inter-community relations. The participants were typically adult men, though the specific rules of participation could differ. The samediggi played a crucial role in maintaining social order and preserving Sami traditions and laws. While the traditional samediggi has largely been replaced by modern political structures, the concept and its historical significance remain important in Sami cultural identity.

Today, the term "Sámediggi" also refers to the elected Sami Parliaments in Norway and Sweden, which function as representative bodies for the Sami people, advocating for their rights and cultural interests within the respective national governments. These modern institutions draw inspiration from the historical samediggi, aiming to provide a platform for Sami self-determination and cultural preservation in the contemporary world.