Collection: Harjumaa

The native population of Harju-Madis parish until the mid-19th century consisted of Estonians and Estonian Swedes. The latter lived in the villages of the Pakri peninsula and on Väike-Pakri island, which ecclesiastically belonged to Harju-Madis parish. In the 1870s, the Swedish language disappeared in the villages of the Pakri peninsula and the Swedish-speaking Väike-Pakri island was transferred to the Risti parish, where the Swedish-speaking people lived on Suur-Pakri island and in the village of Kurkse.  

The following overview only discusses the folk costumes of the Estonians of Harju-Madis, while the costumes of the Estonian Swedes of the Pakri Islands are described in a separate chapter. The folk costumes of the Estonians of the Harju-Madis parish belonged to the folk costume group of Northern Estonia, more specifically, the western part of Harju County.