Karelian
Quick Summary
The Karelian people are a Finnic group speaking a language of the Finno-Ugric family. They primarily reside in the Karelia republic of northwestern Russia, with some emigrants in Finland. Historically, the Finnic peoples migrated to the Baltic region, Finland, and Karelia before 400 CE.12
Karelian is divided into two main dialects: Karelian proper and Olonets. A related language, Ludic, is considered a blend of Karelian and Veps. While the Karelian language has ancient roots, with written fragments dating to the 13th century, the younger generations in Karelia tend to identify more with Russian culture. The region of Karelia itself has a complex history, having been divided between Sweden and Russia, and later annexed by the Soviet Union.123
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FinlandEthnic groups…from the southeast were the Karelians. Scandinavian peoples occupied the western coast and archipelagoes and the Åland Islands.
Read More…from the southeast were the Karelians. Scandinavian peoples occupied the western coast and archipelagoes and the Åland Islands.
Read More- FinlandEarliest peoples
… proper, the Tavastians, and the Karelians. These each had their own chiefs, and they waged war on one another.
Read More… proper, the Tavastians, and the Karelians. These each had their own chiefs, and they waged war on one another.
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- Finnic peoples
Other groups include the Karelians, living mainly in Karelia, in northwestern Russia; the Ingrians, Votes, and Veps, scattered around the Gulf of Finland and Lakes Onega and Ladoga; and the Livs, or Livonians, on the Estonian-Latvian border.
Read MoreOther groups include the Karelians, living mainly in Karelia, in northwestern Russia; the Ingrians, Votes, and Veps, scattered around the Gulf of Finland and Lakes Onega and Ladoga; and the Livs, or Livonians, on the Estonian-Latvian border.
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RussiaThe Uralic group…and in the Urals, while Karelians, Finns, and Veps inhabit the northwest. The Mansi (Vogul) and Khanty (Ostyak) are spread thinly over the lower Ob basin (see Khanty and Mansi).
Read More…and in the Urals, while Karelians, Finns, and Veps inhabit the northwest. The Mansi (Vogul) and Khanty (Ostyak) are spread thinly over the lower Ob basin (see Khanty and Mansi).
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- Finno-Ugric religionThe Finno-Ugric peoples
…near Lake Onega), and the Karelians (living in central Russia, Karelia, and Finland), as well as the Ludes in Olonets, who speak a transition dialect. The population moved into Finland from the south and southeast.
Read More…near Lake Onega), and the Karelians (living in central Russia, Karelia, and Finland), as well as the Ludes in Olonets, who speak a transition dialect. The population moved into Finland from the south and southeast.
Read More - Finno-Ugric religionSacred animals
This was the custom in Karelia. A number of miniature dramas were connected with Ob Ugrian bear rites. Masked participants tell the bear that members of a strange tribe have killed it. There seems to be a historical connection among the bear ceremonies of Ob Ugrians, Karelians, Finns, and Sami.…
Read MoreThis was the custom in Karelia. A number of miniature dramas were connected with Ob Ugrian bear rites. Masked participants tell the bear that members of a strange tribe have killed it. There seems to be a historical connection among the bear ceremonies of Ob Ugrians, Karelians, Finns, and Sami.…
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