The Lapps, like other people, have their legends, and many of them the
same, or nearly so, as are found among other nations. Others reflect
more particularly the national characteristics of the Lapp folk. Thus,
for instance, there is to be found among them a tradition of a general
deluge, a universal catastrophe, whereof there still remains a dim
reminiscence in the consciences of so many other primitive people.
Before the Lord destroyed mankind, so says the Lapp legend, there were
people in Samelads (Lappland), but when the Flood came upon the earth
every living creature perished except two, a brother and sister, whom
God conducted to a high mountain—Passevare—“The Holy Mountain.”
When the waters had subsided and the land was again dry, the brother
and sister separated, going in opposite directions in search of others,
if any might be left. After three years’ fruitless search they met,
and, recognizing each other, they once more went into the world, to
meet again in three years, but, recognizing one another now, also, they
parted a third time. When they met at the end of these three years
neither knew the other, whereafter they lived together, and from them
came the Lapps and Swedes.
Again, as to the distinct manners and customs of the Lapps and Swedes,
they relate that at first both Lapps and Swedes were as one people and
of the same parentage, but during a severe storm the one became
frightened, and hurried under a board. From this came the Swedes, who
live in houses. The other remained in the open air, and he became the
progenitor of the Lapps, who, to this day, do not ask for a roof over
their heads.