The Golden Time and How It Ended
A southern Sámi creation myth. Jupmele (God) created a perfect world where mountains were clad in gold and silver, flowers bloomed everywhere, and there was no cold, night, or sorrow. Biejjie (the Sun) guarded this world. Two brothers lived: good Naevie and greedy Adtjis. Adtjis' wife came from the underworld with a sack of diseases. Adtjis murdered Naevie over land jealousy. Adtjis-ietnie released all diseases into the world. Jupmele overturned the mountain, hid gold and silver under stone, and promised good times would return when people became good like Naevie.