From the 1500 century, the border between Norway and Sweden was populated by a new group of settlers that immigrated from Savolax in Finland. They settled in the rich woodland area of Solør, the area we now know as Finnskogen. Often referred to as “Forest Finns”, the settlers brought with them many new customs that seemed strange to the local residents. For instance, they practiced a form of agriculture called “slash and burn”. They burned down woodland and sowed the corn in the ashes. This kind of agriculture demanded a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the nature, which the Forest Finns had in abundance. Local inhabitants who farmed the land in a more traditional way often viewed this practice as inexplicable and supernatural.

Mysticism has always been a part of the daily life at Finnskogen. The art of healing and supernatural powers are closely linked to the Forest Finns’ culture. The mythology of the Forest Finns had several prominent characters, all sharing a strong attachment to nature. The most central god of the Forest Finns’ lore was Tapio. Tapio is the Finnish version of Pan, the Greek god of forests and meadows. There are several places in Solør that bear names stemming from the Finnish settlers, and today, the Finnish settlers are recognized as a national minority.