ollaoituja

Ollaos were a group of indigenous people who inhabited the northwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, primarily in what is now Galicia and parts of northern Portugal. They are believed to have been a Celtic or proto-Celtic people who were part of the broader Gallaeci culture. Historical and archaeological evidence suggests they were a significant tribal confederation in the region prior to Roman conquest.

The name "Ollaoi" or variations thereof appears in ancient sources, often linked to their geographical location. Their society was likely organized into smaller, independent settlements or communities, typical of Iron Age European tribal structures. Like many ancient Iberian peoples, their economy would have been based on agriculture, pastoralism, and potentially mining and trade, given the region's resources.

Roman sources, such as those by Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy, provide some of the earliest mentions of the Ollaoi, often listing them alongside other Gallaecian tribes. Their interaction with the Romans was characterized by resistance during the Roman conquest of Hispania, which took place over several decades. Following Roman subjugation, the Ollaoi, like other indigenous groups, were integrated into the Roman province of Gallaecia. Their distinct cultural identity likely gradually blended with Roman influences over centuries, eventually contributing to the formation of the Galician and Portuguese peoples. Little is known about their specific language or religious practices beyond what can be inferred from broader Gallaecian cultural patterns.