Dåajmijes vuekie: A Sami Aesthetic Paradigm

Abstract

The South Sami concept of dåajmijes vuekie is used to discuss a nuanced system of evaluative norms operating in Sami culture, past and present, in relation to objects, behavior, and activities. Where Western aesthetics may focus on surface appearance, dåajmijes vuekie emphasizes effective action in relation to practical needs, social interaction, and ethics. The authors suggest that evaluative norms associated with Sami traditional knowledge and activities can provide valuable insights for understanding not only Sami traditional life but also works of contemporary Sami artists and writers who draw on Sami cultural norms in conscious ways.

Keywords

• Sámi
• aesthetics
• traditional knowledge
• Indigenous literature