Från vargtider och vallpojksår: En samling minnen från forna dagars Östra Nyland

by Josefina Bengts

"Från vargtider och vallpojksår: En samling minnen från forna dagars Östra Nyland" by Josefine Bengts is a collection of memoirs written in the early 20th century. The work vividly captures life in the eastern Finnish countryside, focusing particularly on the experiences of vallpojkar (herdsmen) during a time when wolves posed a significant threat to livestock. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the author aims to preserve the memories of generations past and the customs associated with rural life. The opening of the memoir introduces us to the life of a young vallpojke who begins his herding duties at the tender age of eight. This boy recounts the importance of herding in his community, where being a vallpojke was a rite of passage crucial for gaining respect among peers. We learn about the daily activities of herding, the camaraderie among boys, and the ever-present danger of wolves that made the job both thrilling and terrifying. The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia and highlights the dichotomy between childhood innocence and the harsh realities of rural living, setting the stage for further explorations of life in earlier days of Östra Nyland.