On April 10, 2025, at Diehtosiida in Kautokeino, Norway, Anni Magga-Eira successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “The land is different when you have lived there”: A Socio-onomastics Study of Reindeer Herders’ Toponymic Competence in Lákkonjárga Orohat Njulloslákkuid Siida and Sállevári Bálggus. This research, conducted under the University of Oulu’s Faculty of Humanities and the Giellagas Institute, delves into the intricate relationship between Sámi reindeer herders and their toponymic knowledge.
Understanding Toponymic Competence
Magga-Eira's study focuses on the transmission of place names among Sámi reindeer herders, examining how this knowledge is passed between generations and the socio-onomastic factors influencing this process. The research encompasses two reindeer herding districts: Sallivaara in Finland and Lákkonjárga in Norway. Through interviews conducted in 2007, 2008, 2015, and 2016, involving 18 male informants from both regions, the study collected 1,783 North Sámi place names—940 from Sallivaara and 843 from Lákkonjárga. Participants ranged in age from 31 to 87, providing a comprehensive view across generations.
Methodological Approach
Employing both established onomastic methods and innovative approaches tailored for this research, Magga-Eira analyzed the collected data to understand the interplay between language, culture, and environment. The study sheds light on how changes in society, land use, and reindeer herding practices impact the retention and evolution of place names within Sámi communities.
Academic Contributions
The dissertation was supervised by Professor Ante Aikio of the University of Oulu, with Doctor Inger Marie Gaup Eira from the Sámi University of Applied Sciences serving as the opponent during the defense. Magga-Eira's work contributes significantly to the fields of socio-onomastics and Sámi studies, offering valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic dynamics of indigenous communities.
For those interested in exploring the full dissertation, it is available through the University of Oulu's publication repository.
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