Here you are at home with real Swedish peasants. These are Dalecarlians (dä´ l-kär´ l-n), commonly called Dales (däl), an ancient race that has figured largely in Swedish history. Dalecarlia is one of the old divisions of Sweden. The Dalecarlians are a sturdy race, and very industrious. They are famed especially for their basket work, tools, clocks, and watches. During the summer time many of these peasants come to Stockholm in order to be near the best market for their goods. As you see, they cling to their old-style dress. Their clothes are made of bright homespun. It was the custom for each parish of Dalecarlia to wear a dress slightly different from all other parishes. The dress of the women generally consisted of a white waist with full, white sleeves, a colored girdle linked together with silver or gilded chains, a short, dark skirt, a high, close-fitting, woolen cap, and red stockings. Over the short skirt is worn a long apron, usually with red and blue stripes. Kerchiefs of gaudy colors are worn about the throat. All these people have blue eyes and flaxen-colored hair. At least twice in the history of Sweden the Dalecarlians have driven their enemies out of the country. In each case these were the Danes, who for many years lorded it over the Northern Peninsula (pn-n´ s-lå). The sturdy peasantry of Sweden is its chief mainstay. They are the inventors of many useful things about the home. For example, safety matches were invented by the Swedes. To-day the factories of Sweden stand among the first in the production of dairy utensils, such as cream separators. More than half the people, however, depend for a living upon their little fields. Keystone ID: 13015 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.