Eiläisyys

Eiläisyys is a concept related to the Fenno-Ugric and Uralic cultures, particularly in Finland and Estonia. It refers to the traditional way of life characterized by subsistence farming, herding, and hunting in rural areas. The term eiläisyys literally means "cattle- or livestock-keeping" life.

During the time of eiläisyys, families lived off the land, utilizing their own natural resources to sustain themselves. This self-sufficient lifestyle involved animal husbandry, including cattle herding and pig rearing, as well as crop cultivation. People harvested wild fruits, berries, and mushrooms to supplement their diet.

Eiläisyys communities placed significant importance on collective ownership of land and shared resources. This communal approach allowed families to live in symbiosis with the natural environment, minimizing the need for market transactions. Mutual aid and cooperative work between households were also integral to the eiläisyys system.

As urbanization and economic development intensified in the late 19th and 20th centuries, many traditional eiläisyys communities began to decline. By the mid-20th century, migration to cities accelerated, leading to the widespread erosion of rural traditions. Today, eiläisyys is often regarded as a relic of the past, with only a few remaining rural communities attempting to preserve and revitalize their ancestral customs.

However, there is ongoing interest in reviving the eiläisyys mindset as a model for sustainable living and environmental conservation. Some rural communities and environmentally conscious individuals see eiläisyys as an inspiration for self-sufficiency and ecologically balanced ways of living, linking the elderly values to contemporary concerns about land stewardship and food systems.