Huurteiset

Huurteiset is a Finnish word that refers to a specific type of folk-dwelling in the eastern regions of Finland. These traditional dwellings were typical of the Karelia region and surrounding areas, and were often used for seasonal or temporary residence. Huurteiset were usually smaller and simpler in design compared to other types of traditional Finnish houses.

The name "huurteiset" is derived from the Finnish verb "huurtaa," which means to store or heap up, possibly referring to the storing of hay or other materials inside the dwelling. In design, huurteiset featured a simple, often L-shaped layout with a small interior space and a low-pitched roof. Sometimes, they had a single central chamber or even two separate rooms. Walls were typically constructed from logs or wooden boards, and some examples feature mud mortar.

Traditionally, huurteiset were built on relatively flat ground near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or the sea, which provided natural resources for daily living. In coastal regions, huurteiset were often positioned close to fishing grounds or small trading posts. Fishing and collecting wild plants, berries, and mushrooms were essential subsistence activities for people living in these dwellings.

Despite their functional simplicity, huurteiset remain an important part of Finnish and Karelian cultural heritage, reflecting traditions of adaptability, resourcefulness, and communal living that have been practiced in these regions for centuries. Although their use has declined in modern times, as people shifted to more permanent dwellings, some remnants of huurteiset culture continue to be celebrated and shared through documentation, exhibitions, and community-led preservation efforts.