Saaʹmijânnam – the History: The monastery of Petsjenga and the fortress of Kola

The map shows the historical Skolt Sámi Land, the monastery of Petsjenga and the fortress of Kola. The Skolt Sámi Land is the home area for the indigenous Skolt Sámi people.

The Russian tsar gave Skolt Sámi areas to the monastery of Petsjenga in 1556. The monastery operated a very successful business in reindeer herding, cooking salt and fishing. Petsjenga and Muetke sijdds were repressed under the monastery’s rule. The tsar had placed his officials at the fortress of Kola, in order to look after his interests in the northern areas.

The map was produced for the exhibition Saaʹmijânnam – The Skolt Sámi Land in Äʹvv Skolt Sámi museum in Neiden, Norway. The map is the result of a collaboration between Äʹvv Skolt Sámi museum (responsible for the reconstruction of the Skolt Sámi areas and the exhibition), Yngvar Julin (concept of maps and exhibition architect), Nordregio (base maps) and Rethink. and illustrator Ruth Thomlevold (graphic design).

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