Kainuu people
Flag of the Kainuu region | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 70,000–80,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Kainuu North Ostrobothnia | |
| Languages | |
| Kainuu dialect of Finnish | |
| Religion | |
| Lutheranism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Savonians, other Finns |
Kainuu people (Finnish: kainuulaiset) are Eastern Finnish inhabitants of the Kainuu region.
Kainuu was settled by Savonians in the 16th century but historically belonged to Ostrobothnia County and Oulu Province. This allowed for a separate Kainuu identity to emerge in the late 19th century.
Kainuu people speak the Kainuu dialect, which is a part of the Savonian dialects of Finnish. Kainuu people are sometimes considered to be Savonians. However, Kainuu people themselves do not think so but have a separate Kainuu identity.
Most Kainuu people are Lutherans.