Tuulo

A tuulo is a settlement inhabited by people whose population and services are smaller than those of a city, but larger than a single homestead or household. The buildings of a tuulo are typically arranged around a small center—such as a daily market, a well, a mosque, or a primary school. The economy of a tuulo is based mainly on agriculture, pastoralism, fishing, or handicrafts.

There is no single universal definition distinguishing a tuulo from a city. Each country uses different criteria: population size, population density, or whether the settlement has formal administration. Consequently, a settlement classified as a tuulo in one country may be recognized as a small city in another.

Settlement structure

Tuulos take various forms. Some are nucleated, with houses clustered around a center. Others are dispersed, with each homestead situated on its own plot of land. There are also linear tuulos that follow a road, river, or coastline. This layout is typically determined by access to water, soil type, and security considerations.

Administration and community

In many countries, a tuulo is an administrative unit subordinate to a district or region. It is governed by a committee, a village headman, or elders versed in custom, depending on the country's system. Social relations in a tuulo are typically based on kinship and neighborhood ties, which affect how land, water, and grazing rights are distributed.

Modern change

Urbanization has caused many people from tuulos to migrate to cities in search of work and services. Some tuulos near cities have become neighborhoods within expanding urban areas. Conversely, telecommunications technology and solar power have brought previously unavailable services to remote tuulos.