Samen und Ainu

Ethnische, ökonomische und politische Probleme subpolarer Minderheiten

Abstract

Both ethnic groups present so many similarities in their development and tradition that they are worth comparing despite the great spatial distance which separates them. As a part of political geography - considering the results of other sciences - the extent to which ethnic minorities were assimilated or destroyed when man conquered the world is examined. Investigation focuses on the attitude of the constitutional power towards the minorities. This article presents aspects of origin, racial attachment and ethnic development. Thus the economics of the Lapps, particularly reindeer-breeding, and an interesting development of their language are analysed, whereas the Ainu are presented mainly in respect of their origin. Shamanism and the bear-festivals, deeply rooted in tradition, mark the linking elements between both groups. The spatial distribution of the minorities and their economic bases were changed decisively by the pressure of the Japanese in Northern Japan and the influence of Finns, Swedes, Norwegians and Russians in northern Scandinavia. Thus even the cultural and ethnic charac teristics of Lapps and Ainu were damaged to different extents. While the Ainu were japanized entirely there is still a chance for the aboriginees in northern Scandinavia - as in other subpolar regions - to compensate for the losses of identification. As examples from Lappland demonstrate, it seems to be very difficult to subordinate pretended economic coercion to necessary deference to the traditional way of life of the Lapps.