Ludza Estonians

The Ludza -Estonians ( in- Estonian dialect: Lutsi maarahvas ( Lutsi country people ) ) were a group of ethnic Estonians who lived in the area Ludza, in southeastern Latvia.

The majority of Ludza -Estonians emigrated probably in the 17th century in the area around Ludza, but first Estonian settlements could have existed earlier. It is estimated the maximum number of settlers in 4000.

During the era of feudalism, the ethnic group received their original language, Estonian customs and traditions, as life at that time was limited to a narrow radius. The Estonians were Catholic and cultivated closer dealing with their Latvian and Belarusian neighbors who were also Catholics. As long as the church services were held in the Estonian language, there was little reason to learn Latvian or Russian would use about dealing addition.

In the 19th century, however, the Latvian won in the Church the upper hand and Russian became the official and lingua franca. The Ludza -Estonians went on in the population surrounding them, and were marginalized at the latest during the Soviet period.

However, there were around Ludza until the 1970s and 1980s, nor any person Estonian language.

Sources and links

• Paul Ariste Keelekontaktid. Tallinn: Valgus 1981 ( estn ).
• Eestlased laetis - http://www.estemb.lv/lang_1/rub_1316. sighted on 8 May 2007 ( estn )
• Väinö Klaus Läti Eestlased - spotted http://www.lib.helsinki.fi/elektra/melasumeest.pdf on 8 May 2007 ( estn )
• Hannes Korjus Lutsi maarahvas - 110 aastat hiljem - http://www.suri.ee/il/2004/1/lutsi.html sighted on 8 May 2007 ( estn )

• Finno - ugrischsprachige ethnicity
• Estonian History
• Ethnic group in Europe