väitegaalseid
Väitegaalsed, also known as the "claiming gaels," are a group of people who identify as being of Gaelic heritage, but who do not have verifiable genealogical or historical ties to the traditional Gaelic homelands of Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man. The term "väitegaalsed" is derived from the Estonian language, where "väide" means "claim" and "gaalsed" refers to the Gaels. This phenomenon is not unique to Estonia and has been observed in other countries as well.
The practice of claiming Gaelic heritage can be driven by various factors, including cultural interest, personal
In Estonia, the number of people identifying as väitegaalsed has been growing in recent years, reflecting a
Despite the growing number of väitegaalsed, it is essential to approach the topic with a critical and