Storstadssame, fusksame, halvsame eller lappjävel? : En religionssociologisk analys av samisk identitet inom nutida skönlitteratur

Sammanfattning: Research regarding the maintenance of the Sami language shows that the Swedish society has a big influence on the development of the Sami identity and also the maintenance of the Sami language. The assimilation of the Sami language and the traditional Sami religion was forced mainly by the Swedish education form and the Swedish church. In modern times many different forms of Sami identities have been developed due to the scattering of the Sami people, and also because of the urbanization of the Swedish society. The Sami nature religion is still alive in the Sami group, thanks to the mythological stories told and preserved by their oral  tradition. The purpose of this assignment was to make research of how the Sami identity is being presented in three current Swedish books. The books are Sms från Soppero written by Ann-Helén Laestadius, När jag var tretton blev jag same, written by Monica Zak and Lappskatteland, written by Annica Wennström. The assignment has a specific focus on the religion and the Sami language. The main questions are formulated as follows: How do the books present the different dimensions of religion and also its importance to the Sami identity? In what ways is the language presented as vital in relation to the religion, and is the language described as a way to identify the Sami ethnicity? The analyzing method being used to the material is called narrative method with hermeneutics aspects. When a result has been concluded, three theories will be applied and tested as analyzing methods. The theories are Linda Woodhead’s theory of religion and Thomas Hylland Eriksen & Andrea Amft’s theory of ethnicity, which has been complemented by Kenneth Hyltenstam`s et al. theory in which he focuses on the preservation of minority languages. The study shows that there are many dimensions of religion to be found, and that they play a different role depending on different generations and their relation to the Sami identity. The Sami language identifies the Sami ethnicity and also creates a connection to the culture and the ancient religion. Therefore the language is being presented as very important as it defines the Sami identity.