sjöfolk

Sjöfolk is the Swedish term meaning "sea people." It designates individuals and communities whose livelihood depends on the sea, including fishermen, sailors, and other maritime workers, as well as residents of coastal archipelagos in Sweden and neighboring regions where fishing, shipping, and fish processing are integral to daily life.

Historically, Sweden's long coastline along the Baltic and North Seas supported a robust seafaring culture. Coastal towns and islands developed specialized crafts such as boat building, gear making, and ship maintenance, and social networks centered on ports and harbors shaped regional economies and identities.

In folklore and popular belief, sjöfolk can also refer to sea-dwelling beings or spirits associated with the water. Nordic and Scandinavian traditions describe mermaids, water sprites, and other aquatic entities as part of a broader sea folk, with legends of encounters at sea and rituals aimed at ensuring safe voyages.

In contemporary usage, the term is common in journalism and everyday speech to describe people who work at sea or live in maritime communities. It does not constitute a formal ethnic category but conveys a regional and occupational identity connected to the sea.

Related topics include fishing communities, maritime culture, and coastal folklore.