Paavali Halonen
Encyclopedia
Paavali Halonen was a farmer and settler in Finnish Lappland and a fabled warlord during Russo-Swedish War (1590–1595).
King Gustav I promoted Finnish settlement beyond the Russian border of the realm, by promising taxation reliefs to the settlers. This was in order for the king to be able to have claims for the region. The Russian border was then defined by the Treaty of Nöteborg
. This caused
tensions with Russia, and during Russo-Swedish War, Finnish settlements in northern Ostrobothnia
were often destroyed by East Karelia
n guerrillas. Life of Paavali Halonen belongs to this time. He has been a historical person, although most of the knowledge about him is only folklore. Halonen
is a Savonian
surname and Paavali Halonen was the first permanent and Finnish settler inhabitant of Kemijärvi
.
Local folklore has preserved stories about Paavali Halonen as one of the guerrilla chiefs
, the most famous of them being Pekka Vesainen. Halonen was born
in Muhos
and led a vengeance raid to Kola and Kandalaksha
and took part in attempt to capture fort of Kola
with other Finnish chiefs, Vilmi and Kauppi from Kemi
. East Karelians (Russians) offered peace and invited Finnish chiefs to the town for drinking. They were captured by Russians, but Paavali Halonen was suspicious and refused the offer. Thus he saved his life and returned to home. According to the stories he first discovered Kemijärvi then, while escaping from Russia through the wilderness. Later he moved there with his family. Some stories also tell about Halonen saving his wife from East Karelians.
As the first settlers moved to Kemijärvi, the area wasn't inhabited by the Sami people
anymore. The first tax record (maakirja) including Kemijärvi village is from 1631. Then the householder of the Halonen's farm was Paavo Paavonpoika (Paavo's son) Halonen, who probably was the son of the first inhabitant. His place of residence is known today as Halosenniemi. Large part of the population in North East Lapland today can trace their ancestry back to he sons of Paavali Halonen.
King Gustav I promoted Finnish settlement beyond the Russian border of the realm, by promising taxation reliefs to the settlers. This was in order for the king to be able to have claims for the region. The Russian border was then defined by the Treaty of Nöteborg
Treaty of Nöteborg
Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as Treaty of Oreshek , is a conventional name for the peace treaty that was signed at Orekhovets on August 12, 1323. It was the first settlement between Sweden and Novgorod Republic regulating their border...
. This caused
tensions with Russia, and during Russo-Swedish War, Finnish settlements in northern Ostrobothnia
Ostrobothnia
Ostrobothnia refers to various areas in Finland:* Ostrobothnia , province of the kingdom of Sweden before 1809* Ostrobothnia , in modern Finland* Other regions in modern Finland:** Southern Ostrobothnia** Central Ostrobothnia...
were often destroyed by East Karelia
East Karelia
East Karelia , also rendered as Eastern Karelia or Russian Karelia, is a name for the part of Karelia that since the Treaty of Stolbova in 1617 has remained Christian Orthodox under Russian supremacy. It is separated from the western part of Karelia, called Finnish Karelia or historically Swedish...
n guerrillas. Life of Paavali Halonen belongs to this time. He has been a historical person, although most of the knowledge about him is only folklore. Halonen
Halonen
Halonen is Finnish surname of Savonian origin. It may refer to the following people:*Antti Halonen, ice hockey defenceman*Arto Halonen, documentary filmmaker*Eemil Halonen , sculptor*Kaija Halonen, ski orienteering competitor...
is a Savonian
Savonian people
Savonians are Finnish people descending from the inhabitants of historical province of Savonia. Savonians differ from other Finnish tribes by their dialect and cultural tradition. Originally they are descendants of the historical Finnish Karelians and the Tavastians...
surname and Paavali Halonen was the first permanent and Finnish settler inhabitant of Kemijärvi
Kemijärvi
Kemijärvi is a municipality of Finland and the northern-most town in Finland. It is located in the province of Lapland. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
.
Local folklore has preserved stories about Paavali Halonen as one of the guerrilla chiefs
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
, the most famous of them being Pekka Vesainen. Halonen was born
in Muhos
Muhos
Muhos is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Oulu half an hour drive on route 22 from the city of Oulu, the capital of Northern Finland and is part of the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
and led a vengeance raid to Kola and Kandalaksha
Kandalaksha
Kandalaksha is a town in Kandalakshsky District of Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located at the head of Kandalaksha Gulf on the White Sea, beyond the Arctic Circle. Population: 40,564 ; -History:The settlement has existed since the 11th century...
and took part in attempt to capture fort of Kola
Kola (town)
Kola is a town and the administrative center of Kolsky District of Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kola and Tuloma Rivers, south of Murmansk and southwest of Severomorsk. It is the oldest town of the Kola Peninsula. Population: 11,060 ; -History:The district of Kolo...
with other Finnish chiefs, Vilmi and Kauppi from Kemi
Kemi
Kemi is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located very near the city of Tornio. It was founded in 1869 by royal decree, because of its proximity to a deep water harbour....
. East Karelians (Russians) offered peace and invited Finnish chiefs to the town for drinking. They were captured by Russians, but Paavali Halonen was suspicious and refused the offer. Thus he saved his life and returned to home. According to the stories he first discovered Kemijärvi then, while escaping from Russia through the wilderness. Later he moved there with his family. Some stories also tell about Halonen saving his wife from East Karelians.
As the first settlers moved to Kemijärvi, the area wasn't inhabited by the Sami people
Sami people
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi, or Saami, are the arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. The Sámi are Europe’s northernmost...
anymore. The first tax record (maakirja) including Kemijärvi village is from 1631. Then the householder of the Halonen's farm was Paavo Paavonpoika (Paavo's son) Halonen, who probably was the son of the first inhabitant. His place of residence is known today as Halosenniemi. Large part of the population in North East Lapland today can trace their ancestry back to he sons of Paavali Halonen.
External links
- Paavali Halonen - Town of Kemijärvi
- Paavali Halonen family society