Shepherds of Lapland and Provence: so far away and so close

Last updated : 22 January 2025

In 1974, André Abbe embarks on an extraordinary adventure : more than 8,000 km in caravan until Cape Northwith his wife Francine and their baby six months On board! Through Sweden, Norway and Finland, this journey reveals striking similarities between farmers Sami and shepherds provencal, both facing the same challenges. An unexpected journey, fascinating stories and unforgettable encounters, which today finds an echo 50 years later...

1974: More than 8000km in caravan with a baby

Summer 74. After buying a folding caravan drawn by the Simca 1100, we leave for Cape North with our son Francis 6 months old. When I write these lines, I'm ashamed of having lured my family into such an amazing adventure. I intended to propose to « She » or a monthly such, a great family adventure report. Imagine that I had planned to go from Norway or Finland to the USSR on the way back and leave it on the way back from Hungary. I made very long trips with Intourist by calating day after day the nights of hotel... fortunately, a certain night of August there was no place in the hotel that was planned. Thank you the Soviets for refusing us! We escaped pretty.

Lapland and a baby

In 1974, during this long journey with Francine and François, six months old, we
aircraft travelled through Lapland, Sweden, Norway and Finland.
Unfortunately, we had not had the opportunity to meet Sami farmers because they were with their
herd of reindeer in the alps in July.
We visited the Inari Museum. I saw the slide of a reindeer stable in front of me.
in the courtyard of the museum. It was a coincidence that François s

Agriculture in Lapland and Provence

From that time on, I was interested in Sami culture because the similarities with the culture of provençal transhumant shepherds were great.
Transhumant reindeer and sheep farmers are experiencing the same difficulties today.
In addition, both speak a language threatened with disrepair, Sami and Provençal.

1974, 1981 and 2006 : 3 stays in Lapland

In 2006, as a jury member, I was invited to visit Östersund for the Liet Festival
an international competition for so-called language songs « less widespread, every year. A North Same band had won the jury prize and Provencal singer Liza had won the audience prize!

Reindeer herd farmers

He took the opportunity to visit Gaaltje, the South Same Cultural Centre.
I had an appointment with the friendly director who had explained in English that the Sami herdsmen were increasingly struggling to transhume with their herd of reindeer because of the opposition of the sedentary populations.

Sheep breeders

In Provence, walking transhumance has become increasingly rare because of the difficulties of
Take the roads. Most shepherds no longer speak Provençal. Some perpetuate it.
However, a large number of Provençal words are kept in the vocabulary of the trade
ovine breeder.
This similarity should be highlighted by exhibitions or conferences.