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Sami - Goddess of Springtime and Spinning
Ruona Nieda
"The Supreme God and the Gods of Nature," found in "The Lapps," Roberto Bosi, part of the
Ancient Peoples and Places series, Dr. Glyn Daniel, general editor, Thames and Hudson, 1960, p. 132.
Free from the crust of ice, the plants became green again and tentatively put forth shoots,
while over all the countryside blew the gentle breeze of Rana-Nieida, who carefully tended growing
flowers and plants. Rana-Nieida was the daughter of Acce, "the father," who came to be called
Radien-attje, "the father who commands,' when he was appointed the first person in a trinity, and
the father of a fairly numerous family of minor divinities.
The Ancient Religion and Folk-Beliefs of the S‡mi, Odd Mathis Haetta, Alta Museum Pamphlets,
Alta Museum, Alta, Norway, 1994, p. 15.
..."Ruonanieida who was the goddess of Spring and the growing season. She represented the green grass and lichen that provided nourishment for reindeer."
Translation from "Lapp Mythology, Fairytales and Folk Legends," by J.A. Friis, 1871, reprinted by
Rosenkilde and Bagger, Oslo, 1977, pp. 58-59. [Translated by John Blood]
Ruona nieidda, Rana nieidda or Raien nieidda
Based on the comments of a Shaman Raien acce had not only a Son, but also a daughter, who
is called by Leem Ruona nieidda, and called by Jessen Rana nieidda, or Raien nieidda or,
"Raien's Daughter." Also, "she lived highest up in the Starry Heaven, not far from the likewise
high God Raien." (Leem, p. 411) This Ruona nieidda was the Spring's Goddess; hence it is written
that, Grass and leaves sprang forth from her.
Message posted by:
Susan Blood
E-Mail: guovtta@quest-dynamics.com
Date/Time: 3/18/97 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: Sami goddess - Rana Nieda
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