Seljaajast

Seljaajast is a term used in Estonian to describe a person who is a farmer or a rural dweller. The term is derived from the word "selts", which means "community" or "society", and "jaast", which means "year". The term "seljaajast" was used in the 19th century to describe a person who was a member of a rural community that was organized around the concept of the "jaast", or the annual cycle of agricultural work.

Seljaajast were typically small-scale farmers who owned their own land and worked it themselves. They were often part of a larger rural community, which was organized around the concept of the "jaast". The jaast was a system of communal work, where members of the community would work together to complete tasks such as plowing, harvesting, and storing crops.

Seljaajast were an important part of the rural economy in Estonia, and their way of life was deeply connected to the land and the natural environment. They were often self-sufficient, producing their own food and other goods for their own use. They also played an important role in the cultural life of the rural community, preserving traditional customs and practices.

Today, the term "seljaajast" is less commonly used, as the rural population in Estonia has declined and many rural communities have been absorbed into larger urban areas. However, the concept of the jaast and the role of the seljaajast in rural Estonian society continue to be studied and celebrated by historians and cultural enthusiasts.