Along with characters Sámi mythology includes sacred sites. Saivo lakes were thought to be gateways to the dimension where gufittar and ulda folk used to live. Many of the ancient Sámi also thought that it was the destination for souls of the people.
Äkässaivo, Muonio
Pakassaivo, Muonio
Saivokero, Muonio
Pikku-Otsamo, Inari
Spirits of the dead inhabited also sacred mountains. Ancient people avoided peaks of these sites because they wanted to respect their ancestors.
Ancient Sami people used seide stones as altars when making offerings to their various deities. They anointed them with fish oil and reindeer fat to bring them luck in hunting and fishing. Gods were also gifted with antlers, fish fat, tobacco, jewelleries, money, and other valuable objects. But sometimes people got mad with their gods, if lean times in catching food continued for too long. Then the seide got the worst of people’s wrath. They were burned to the point of breaking, smashed up, and finally the pieces were thrown into a nearby lake or other water. But the belief in their gods was not shaken. They were known to be real. Sometimes they just tested the Sami people too much.
At the ancient times seide rituals were very strictly assessed. Only men could approach stones because sites were thought to be too energetic for women and children to endure their power.
Many of these sites are still in frequent use. Nowadays also females are visiting these locations.
Ancient Sami people used seide stones as altars when making offerings to their various deities. They anointed them with fish oil and reindeer fat to bring them luck in hunting and fishing. Gods were also gifted with antlers, fish fat, tobacco, jewelleries, money, and other valuable objects. But sometimes people got mad with their gods, if lean times in catching food continued for too long. Then the seide got the worst of people’s wrath. They were burned to the point of breaking, smashed up, and finally the pieces were thrown into a nearby lake or other water. But the belief in their gods was not shaken. They were known to be real. Sometimes they just tested the Sami people too much.
At the ancient times seide rituals were very strictly assessed. Only men could approach stones because sites were thought to be too energetic for women and children to endure their power.
Many of these sites are still in frequent use. Nowadays also females are visiting these locations.
Stallu´s chair, Utsjoki, Teno
Näkkälä seide, Enontekiö, Näkkäläjärvi
Erkuna seide, Enontekiö, Palojärvi
Seide stone, Porviniemi, Muonio
Taatsi seide, Kittilä, Pokka
Onnelan seita, Utsjoki
Seide stone, Kautokeino, Suohpatjávri
Genesbákti (Kenespahta), Utsjoki, Kenesjärvi
Suttesája (Sulaoja), Utsjoki, Karigasniemi
Äijihsuálui (Ukonkivi), Inari, Inarijärvi
Markkina sacrifice pine, Enontekiö
Among seide stones there was a few other sites as sacred rocks, sacrifice pines, goblin crops and holy springs
