karjamõisad

Karjamõisad, also known as farmsteads or peasant farms, were a common feature of rural landscapes in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania during the medieval and early modern periods. These self-sufficient agricultural units were typically owned by the nobility or the state, and were inhabited by serfs or peasants who worked the land in exchange for protection and the right to use the land. Karjamõisad were usually small, consisting of a few buildings, including a main house, a barn, and a stable, surrounded by fields and pastures. The inhabitants of karjamõisad were responsible for growing crops, raising livestock, and producing other goods for their own use and for sale. They also had to pay a portion of their produce as rent or tribute to their landlord. Karjamõisad played a crucial role in the rural economy, providing food and other necessities for the local population and contributing to the overall wealth of the region. However, they were also subject to various forms of exploitation and oppression, including harsh labor conditions, low wages, and limited rights. The system of karjamõisad was gradually abolished in the 19th century as part of a broader process of land reform and the establishment of a more egalitarian society.