Mäkitupalaiset

Mäkitupalaiset refers to a historical social group in Finland, primarily in rural areas during the 18th and 19th centuries. The term literally translates to "hut dwellers" or "cottagers," and it described individuals who lived in small, rented cottages or crofts on land owned by a larger landowner, often a farmer or a nobleman. These cottages, known as mäkitupa, were typically meager and provided only basic shelter.

Mäkitupalaiset were distinct from the main farming population, who owned or rented larger tracts of land. They often lacked land of their own and relied on various forms of labor for their livelihood. This could include working for the landowner who provided their dwelling, or taking on other casual jobs in the community. Their economic situation was generally precarious, and they were often at the lower end of the rural social hierarchy.

The existence of mäkitupalaiset was a consequence of population growth and land scarcity. As the population increased, land ownership became more concentrated, leading to a segment of the population who could not afford or access larger farms. While they were not landless laborers in the strictest sense, their living conditions and economic dependence placed them in a vulnerable position. The social and economic changes in Finland, including industrialization and land reforms, gradually diminished the prevalence of the mäkitupalainen social group over time.