Tavastians

Tavastians (Swedish: tavaster, Finnish: Hämäläiset, Russian: Емь, Yem, Yam) are a historic people and a modern subgroup (heimo) of the Finnish people. They live in areas of the historical province of Tavastia (Häme) and speak Tavastian dialects.

Tavastia has been inhabitet since the early Stone Age. People living in the area spoke a language that modern Finn could understand. The core area of ancient Tavastia was formed around Lake Vanajavesi. Example of organised cooperation of iron age Tavastians are the hillforts that form a clear line in south-north direction around Hämeenlinna. Most remarkable from these hillforts is the Rapola Castle which is the biggest hillfort found in Finland, but also Tenhola hillfort in Hattula and Hakoinen Castle were important fortresses.

Possibly the oldest known road of Finland, Hämeen härkätie (the Ox road of Tavastia) connected Tavastia with the western coast of Finland. First signs of Christianity can be dated to the 11th century. The Second Swedish Crusade to Finland possibly in 1293 started the process that made Tavastia part of the kingdom of Sweden.

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