Tilallisissa

Tilallisissa, also known as tilalli system, was a traditional agrarian system prevalent in Finland during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The term "tilallisissa" translates to "tenant farming" in English. This system was characterized by the division of land into small, privately owned parcels, which were then rented out to tenants. The tenants, known as tilalliset, were responsible for cultivating the land and paying a portion of the harvest as rent to the landowner. The landowners, typically large landowners or the state, retained ownership of the land but allowed tenants to use it for agricultural purposes. This system allowed for a more flexible and dynamic use of land, as tenants could move to different parcels based on their needs and the availability of land. However, it also led to issues such as land fragmentation and inequality, as the largest landowners often retained the most fertile and productive land. The tilallisissa system was gradually replaced by more modern agricultural practices and land ownership structures in the mid-20th century.