ABSTRACT
In the spring of 1907, the late Professor O. Solberg paid his first visit to Laksefjord, and nearly thirty years elapsed before he had the opportunity of revisiting the sea-Sames fchere. Unfortunately, his field-notes have not been published except for some general remarks in a preface to Johs. Laksefjord is a broad and open fiord running almost directly north-south, nearly forty-five miles long and generally about nine miles broad, although the innermost part is only two to three miles across. The fiord is extremely exposed to the winds, and strong currents also help to make sea-traffic difficult and dangerous. Since the establishment of the first Norwegian settlements, there has been a fundamental difference in the economic structure of Norwegians and Sames, which has to a high degree determined the relationships between the two ethnic groups, as well as their attitude and their ability to adjust to the changing economic and social situation.
