Page "Sami religion" Paragraph 8

The clan and family gods of the Sámi were known in different parts of Sapmi under the name of Seita, Sieidis or Storjunkare.

Each family or clan had its Storjunkare standing in the district where they lived.

Every Sámi settlement had its seita, which had no regular shape, and might consist of smooth or odd-looking stones picked out of a stream, of a small pile of stones, of a tree-stump, or of a simple post.

They were set up on a high, prominent place, or in a rich meadow.

Under and round such seitas they strewed green fir twigs in winter, and in summer green leaves.

The seitas protected their worshippers against misfortune to the herds of reindeer, gave instructions how to catch wild reindeer, and in return offerings were made to them of the hides and hoofs of reindeer, calves, and sometimes of a dog.

But a private person might also have his own seita, to whom he prayed for good luck.

The Storjunkare are described sometimes as stones, having some likeness to a man or an animal, that were set up on a mountain top, or in a cave, or near rivers and lakes.

Honor was done to them by spreading fresh twigs under them in winter, and in summer leaves or grass.

The Storjunkare had power over all animals, fish, and birds, and gave luck to those that hunted or fished for them.

Reindeer were offered up to them, and every clan and family had its own hill of sacrifice.