Terve!
(finnish greeting or toast)
Bålagardssida is the ancient name for the SW coast of Finland from a ways north of Pori down to near Hanka in the south and centered on Åland island. It is mentioned in the The Saga of Olaf in the Heinskringla and in early books and sailor’s tales as a sea-port, or a section of coast.

A confusion for some was finding the name to be Old Norse in origin. This is because of the Swedish influence in this region since ancient times. The name contains clues. "Sida" means "side, edge, cliff, or shore" depending upon context. ”Gard” translates to "court/fort/keep" and “Bål“ translates to "funeral pyre’ or “graveyard". Could this have been a crown seat for a Swedish petty king?

To this day, the region is occupied by people of Swedish ancestry who speak Swedish and many refuse to learn Suomi (Finnish). Names of places and family names in this region reveal a long occupation by these people. Åland island and the hundreds of others that form “stepping stones” across the Gulf of Bothnia have been the main route by which the Swedes have populated Kalevala’s Bålagardssida coast.

This coastal region has been contested by Svea (Swedes), Kven (a part of Finnish stock), and Karelians from the east (a part of Finnish stock) for hundreds of years, or more. This coastal region has tremendous relevance for how briefly it is mentioned in the Sagas.

There will be articles (see below) which detail the history of this intriguing region.



If you have any questions...or any answers please feel free to contact
Pohjantähti Karjalainen
http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Homesite/1113370
your host here in Bålagardssida!



Picture Source: mprinke
and Animal Photos!

Pohjantähti Karjalainen

The Articles of Bålagardssida:

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