The Finnish Tribes
The first people who can be distinguished as Finno-Ugric arrived in the area of modern Finland and Estonia as early as 8500BC, living as simple hunter-gatherers with limited farming. Close links with Scandinavia and Germanic influence ensured that things like bronze- and ironworking became common knowledge.
These people were divided into several recognisable tribes, who however shared similiar languages.
Tavastians
Tavastians lived in Southern and Central Finland, in Nyland and Tavastland. Tavastians are stereotypically seen as rather slow, quiet but stubborn. The name Tavastian comes from Swedish and it has been joked that it translates from "dumb Estonians" Even still, they were perhaps the most warlike of the Finnish tribes and they worshipped Tursas, the Tavastian god of war.
Finns
The Finns, also called Proper Finns, lived in the South Western corner of Finland. They had the closest links with Scandinavia and rest of the world, being close to the Baltic Sea, and probably were the most urbanized of the Finnish tribes. They were however outshadowed by bigger tribes such as Tavastians and Karelians.
Karelians
Karelia is often seen as the birthplace of Finnish culture. Karelians were probably the biggest Finnish tribe and also the most powerful. They often contested with Tavastians, their biggest rivals. Karelians are often seen as passionate and merry.
Kvens
According to Viking Sagas, the Kvens formed the first legendary Kingdom of Finland and battled with the Norse in several wars. However, not much of them is known, only that they often contest with the Sami in Lappland, Northern Finland. They are mostly hunter-gathers and not interested in other's affairs.
Savonians
Savonians were divided into two groups; hunter-gathers descended from the Sami, and the newcomers from west, perhaps originally Tavastians who introduced farming. Savonians were also heavily influenced by Karelians, and they often allied with them against the Tavastians. Savonians have an unique dialect and culture, and are often seen strange by other Finnish tribes.
Votes and Ingrians
Votes and Ingrians inhabited the Karelian Isthmus, a narrow track of land between the Baltic Sea and Lake Ladoga. They are closely related to Veps who live farther east. Votes are much like Proper Finns, closely affliated with the sea and Ingrians are often seen as peace loving folk.
Veps
Veps lived in modern North Western Russia, in the area around Novgorod. Veps were the link between West and East, and the city of Novgorod was a major center of trade. Because of this, Veps were often under foreign rule, first under Karelians, then under the Varangians and finally the Mordvins. They battled together with Mordvins against the Slavs in 9th century but were however invaded by Varangians, and the Varangian Rurik set up a Kingdom that consisted much of modern Russia. Rurik's successors were however exiled from Novgorod by Mordvin King Malyaka in 912 and Veps became to be ruled under the Mordvinians.
Estonians
Estonians are much like Votes and Finns, living in cities near the sea. Estonians were probably the most German influenced of the Finnish Tribes and the most advanced aswell. They have been traditionally very friendly with their southern neightbours Livonians and Balts. The broken links with other Finnish tribes have made Estonian language and culture beginning to separate from the others.
Livonians
Livonians always lived together with their Baltic neightbours; there are even traces of Livonians living in Kurland. Livonians are most closely related to Estonians.
Sami
Samis, the nomads of the North, have always been wandering hunter-gatherers. The separation of Finnish people and Sami happened very long time ago and the Sami language is almost completely unintelligible to the Finns. Sami are also known for their reindeer herding. This, and the fact that they live in the wilderness out of the way of others, are the reason why they are the most unique of all Finnish tribes.
Permians
Permians, also called Komi, are much like Sami, living as nomads in the north and practising reindeer herding. Their language is however much different from those of Mordvinian and Finnic languages, resembling the Sami languages more. Permians occupy a large area in Northern Russia, strecthing all the way to the Urals and even beyond. The Vikings knew of the Permians and the area where Permians lived was called Bjarmia. The western Permians who came into touch with the Vikings established their own state called the Great Perm and were known for their wealth which was gained from the profitable trading along the main rivers in Northern Russia.