Votians: The Little-Known People of Ingria!

Imagine a group of people who have lived in a special part of the world for a very long time! These are the Votians. They are a Finnic ethnic group, which means their language and culture are related to other groups like Finns.

They call their home Ingria, a place in northwestern Russia, not too far from a big city called Saint Petersburg. It's like having a special neighborhood with its own unique traditions!

The Votians are native to a historical area called Ingria. Think of it like a special playground that belongs to them. This land is located southwest of Saint Petersburg and east of Estonia. For many years, this was their home, where they lived, played, and shared their stories. It's a beautiful part of the world with its own special feel.

The Votians have their very own language, called Votic! It's a special way of talking that's been passed down from parents to children. Sadly, not many people speak Votic anymore, which makes it very precious. It's like a secret code that only a few can understand. There are only three villages left where people still speak it, and some people in the countryside too. Isn't that amazing?

Guess what? The Votians were one of the groups who helped start a very old and important city called Veliky Novgorod! That means they were some of the very first people to help build and shape this place. It's like being one of the first kids to help build a giant LEGO castle. Their history is a big part of the story of this region!