The fells, forests and great rivers of central Finnish Lapland: the Kemi and its tributary the Ounas (Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, Kittilä, Sodankylä), and the lakes of Kuusamo and Salla towards the White Sea watershed.
Sami siida hunt the wild reindeer, fish the rivers and lakes and trap furs; the river carries their furs down to the Kemi mouth and the Kvens, and the eastern paths take them to the Karelians. No lord or tribute-taker is named for 1200.
Who holds it
- Name
- none named
- Title
- the siida of the Kemi river system (none named for 1200)
- Confidence
- high
The siida of Kemi Lapland known from the 16th century (Sompio, Sodankylä, Kemikylä, Kitka, Kuolajärvi and others) cannot be projected back to 1200 by name.
Overlord
None. Karelian traders and tribute-takers likely reach it over the White Sea watershed; Kvens and Bothnian traders from the river mouth (not attested for 1200).
What it holds
- the Kemi and Ounas rivers above the coast
- Kemijärvi and Sodankylä
- Kittilä
- Kuusamo and Salla
How things stand that morning
Sami land without a lord; tribute and trade with the Karelians and the Bothnian coast likely but not attested.
Wealth
Wild reindeer, furs, river fish.
Threats
- rival tribute-takers
Law and courts
The siida's own customs over hunting, fishing and grazing grounds, kept by its elders and its assembly of families (later evidence).
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1200 (no dated event)Nothing recorded.
Places of note
- Sodankylä: the upper Kitinen
- Kemijärvi: the upper Kemi
- Kittilä: the Ounas valley
- Kuusamo: the lakes on the White Sea watershed
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: No source for 1200; drawn on the river system.
On the map: Drawn on the Kemi river system with Kuusamo and Salla; the eastern edge follows roughly the modern border.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.