Pidäy nagrua, konzu ei täs ni tabavuo kannata

Karelian / -93 / Vaatteeni kertokoon kenen kotoa ja mistä päin olen poissa, olenko jo paluumatkalla vai jo tulossa sieltä.

[djurhokekkonen]

juhannustaika: jos nukkuu seittemän miehen kanssa ni voi nähä unessa kukan

[laukkuryssa]

[daisanfar]

*zombie emoji*

[tuherrus]

valkea ja sininen aino muinaispuku ✨

[laukkuryssa]

Preparin' some moose legs to make koivikkahat, traditional karelian fur boots.

[laukkuryssa]

Kaikille motivaatio Potteria näin maanantai aamuun. 

[parkayquarts]

inspired by russian illustrator ivan bilibin!!!

[vacueabissi]

This is amazing

[milfseducer-deactivated20230823]

An Ainu robe from the Meiji period (1868–1912).

[folkfashion]

Ainu women, Japan, by Adam Isfendiyar

[starapture]

[laufeyknits]

PSA

There’s a really unpleasant part of plastic shamans hoisting up their (real or imaginary) Karelian roots: when it’s done in order to get away with cultural appropriation.

Not talking about appropriation of Karelian stuff today, folks, though that’s definitely being done too. This is about taking things from the indigenous people of Siberia, the Sami, Native Alaskans, indigenous people of the Arctic, Native Americans etc. and pretending these things are included in traditional Karelian culture.

This happens more than you’d think. Outside of Finland you probably don’t come across it very much, because they most typical way this happens is by selling Finnish people all kinds of experience vacations, courses, campfire larps, reiki healing, you know the deal. Just today I saw one guy offering lessons on “Karelian” throat singing and “Karelian” drumming, with Sami drums decorated with a very common Karelian pattern. A while ago I saw a plastic shaman put on red face paint claiming that to be a lost Karelian tradition, that was both commonly used by both genders [SIC] and also only survived in their own family.

It’s not rare at all to see various regalia from the other indigenous peoples mixed into advertising of all kinds, and have it all wrapped up as “Karelian”, just like its seller claims to be. Sometimes these items are even sold, yes, again under the helpful “Karelian” title. These things are NOT Karelian, if that wasn’t blatantly clear already. We’re our own group with our own traditions. We don’t even have shamans, our magic users go by a different term entirely. We don’t use Sami drums. We don’t cleanse with white sage (we do some smoke cleansing, but we use plants actually native to our area). List goes on.

Coming across these people is humiliating, because not only are they taking things that aren’t theirs to take - which is bad enough already - but they’re also screaming, loud and clear, that they’re doing this because they’re “Karelian”. We get thrown in front like a human shield, against our own wishes, and fully aware there’s nothing in our culture that would excuse the stealing.

So if you come across something like this, suspect.

It’s easy enough to prove ourselves, in the occasions where our traditions do resemble another group’s traditions. Let’s use beadworking as an example: a person can easily link to several museum items that show the exact beadwork technique and how it was used, what it was used to decorate, and so forth. 

If they can’t prove the origin of something they claim to be Karelian, there’s a good chance that it’s because they can’t do it.

[varbalinduakku-deactivated20210]

One of the real reasons I haven’t blogged for some time is that while Karelians are finally getting good representation and people know more about us it has lead to Finnish people snatching everything they can and saying ”it’s mine” or ”we share this” when it’s not true. It is really sad for all. Finnish people are unable to truly connect with their own culture and planting their own seeds to grow real roots.

Be grateful for what is yours, be grateful for what we share and be grateful for what we have and you don’t. Cultures are different and in those differences lie the real beauty of having your own.

[roakkaliha]

muovishamaanibingo (by @/grilliranu on twitter, shared with permission)

[terapagosu]

Finnish folklore Red flags

I’ve noticed that there is a wave of foreigners becoming interested in so-called “Finnish folklore” - great! There are plenty of fascinating traditions and beliefs which I’m sure people are happy to talk about. But there are a few things to keep in mind when researching the subject. As most available information is written in Finnish, the main source for your research will most likely come from Finns - which is obviously okay, but ignorance and misinformation is more than present in these circles. I myself am not by any means an expert, but everything I’ve listed here is basic information. More under the cut.

Kalevala is not your friend. If someone sources/bases their teachings on Kalevala, and/or recommends it to you - run. That person does NOT know what they are talking about. Not only is Kalevala an inaccurate description of “Finnish” beliefs, but the whole existence of this storybook is problematic. The epic is a result of Finnish nationalism, Western European influence and cultural theft. It is a bastardisation of indigenous Karelian oral tradition and whatever “Finnish” the book holds between its covers is not helpful from a research standpoint. I kept this part brief because I am not Karelian, but TLDR; Kalevala is cultural appropriation and it has very little to do with Finland, and we Finns cannot claim the stories for ourselves. This is the first thing you learn when researching Finnish folklore.

When and Where? There has never been a solid, concrete “Finnish culture” as the term “Finnish” was coined during the rise of nationalism and it used to only represent a fraction of the population. Beliefs and traditions have changed and shifted depending on location and time. If the person you’re speaking to does not give you at least an approximate location and time period for what they’re trying to teach you about (for example, 1600s Ostrobothnia) - run. Also, it is best to almost completely avoid the 1800s and after.

Deities are not worshipped. If someone claims to worship deities, and/or encourages you to do the same - again, run. Deities are tied to specific locations and they cannot be called to oneself. In fact, most powers are avoided due to their dangerous nature. Do keep in mind that, just like traditions, deities and the ways people interact with them differ based on location and time period. Make sure you’re not confusing Karelian deities with Finnish ones. Many deities have been combined and misrepresented by Kalevala’s “author” Elias Lönnrot due to similar sounding names. Similarities ≠ Identical.

Please learn about our history when researching folklore. Avoid Wikipedia as it is not a good source when it comes to the mistreatment and colonization of indigenous populations (Karelians and Sámi), so get your information directly from the people affected. We Finns must work to decolonize our minds and beliefs before we’re fully able to embrace our native, pre-christian traditions. We have a right to be frustrated about what we’ve lost to colonization, but we cannot take that anger out on indigenous peoples and we cannot fill that gap in our ancestral history with stolen and distorted parts from cultures not our own. If you are Finnish and you truly care about your culture and ancestors you wouldn’t lie to yourself like this.

Karhun kansa and neopagans DNI.

[roakkaliha]

i need ppl who are starting or thinking of reconnecting to karelian culture to realize that we’re still facing racism, bc its becoming way too fuckin frequent for ppl to find out that karelians are indigenous n decide to reconnect to either feel ‘exotic’ or escape their white guilt, n then act surprised when they find out we face so much racism in our daily lives.

ever since i started reconnecting ive noticed ppl treating worse bc of it, like my interactions w my support person assigned to me by a social worker especially turned hostile the second i started being open abt it w them. ppl forgive them, ignore their racism towards me and even PRAISE their work in front of me, most of these ppl are school counselors, social workers, nurses and doctors, you know, ppl who white ppl expect to not Do That Shit or ppl who take pride in being anti-racist. its gotten to the point where im showing symptoms of selective mutism as a direct result of their treatment.

before i started reconnecting it felt like i had no emotions, now i feel like anger is my default state bc of all the shit ive experienced n watched others experience.

i know ppl whove been harassed, abused n assaulted for being karelian. i know ppl whove been yelled at n hurled slurs at in public for speaking karelian. ive seen so many finns say absolutely fucking vile shit abt us n not a single finn will stand up for us or even publically disagree. even self-proclaimed “anti-racist leftist activists” wont give a shit, actually theyre often the ones saying that shit. finns love giving posts spreading blatant misinformation n nationalist propaganda thousands of notes, while posts criticizing em or talking abt racist suomitumblrs get fucking nothing. at best they’ll like the post, but theyre too chickenshit to reblog to their finnish followers.

its so fucking tiring to watch suomitumblr refusing to deplatform popular racists in the community. its so fucking tiring to listen to finns brag abt how ‘everyone in finland has the equal chances of success despite ethnicity or skin color’, when youve seen your rroma friends be denied basic rights, when youre personally crushed by the knowledge that youll never as successful as finnish adult babies who ignore any and all accusations or racism or even just being told to do the bare minimum towards being actually a good ally, all bc your existense threatens their worldview.

its so fucking tiring when the amount of actual anti-racist finns youve met can be counted on a single hand.

ppl need to realize that existing as a karelian can be straight up traumatizing. its far from whatever Wannabe Exotic Free Opression Points bullshit ppl like to make it out to be.

actually make a fucking effort.

[kielovesi]

Nuuttipukin naamari Sipoosta 1800-luvulta

Perinteisen ajanlaskun mukaan joulukausi, joka alkoi Tuomaan päivästä 21.12., päättyi loppiaisen jälkeisenä Nuutin päivänä 7.1. (“vanha nuutti”), josta alkoivat “härkäviikot” tai “selkäviikot” eli laskiaiseen kestävä juhlaton, työntäyteinen aika. Päivän taustalla on tanskalainen pyhimys Knut Lavard. Hän oli tanskalainen prinssi ja Etelä-Jyllannin herttua, jonka koki marttyyrikuoleman 7.1.1131 ja julistettiin pyhäksi vuonna 1169. Nuutin päivä siirtyi pohjoismaisissa almanakoissa tammikuun 13:een (“uusi nuutti”) vuonna 1708. Tästä huolimatta loppiaisen jälkeinen päivä pysyi kansan mielissä päivänä, jolloin viimeistä kertaa pitkään aikaan sai kunnolla juhlia.

Joulun jälkipyhinä ja erityisesti Nuutin päivänä, oli tapana lähteä joukolla kiertelemään oman ja naapurikylien taloja. Kiertuetta varten lapset, nuoret ja entisaikaan varsinkin aikuiset miehet pukeutuivat vanhoihin vaatteisiin, nurinkäännettyihin turkkeihin tai loppuun kuluneisiin nuttuihin. Miehet pukeutuivat naisiksi ja naiset miehiksi, kasvoille pantiin naamiot, laulettiin pilkkalauluja ja virittäydyttiin muutenkin juhlatunnelmaan. Olennainen osa pukeutumista oli naamari ja jonkinlaiset sarvet, joten heitä kutsuttiin nimellä nuuttipukki.

Myöhempinä aikoina tutuksi tullut joulupukki muistutti ulkoasultaan hyvin paljon nuuttipukkia aina 1940-luvulle asti. Naamari oli tehty tuohesta, paperista, pukin tai lampaan nahasta ja siinä oli reiät silmille, nenälle ja suulle. Jalat ympäröitiin joskus vohlan tai lampaan nahoilla, toisena jalkana voitiin käyttää hevosen kaviota. Pääpukkia kutsuttiin paroniksi. Hänellä oli naamari, oljista tehty takki, lakki ja pamppu sekä vyössä paljon tiukuja ja pitkä puumiekka. Talosta taloon kiertelevän joukkion oli tarkoitus pysytellä tuntemattomina koko vierailun ajan. Isäntäväen huvina oli taas yrittää tunnistaa vieraat.

Iloiset seurueet kiertelivät taloissa kumoamassa loppuja joulujuomia ja vaatimassa muutakin kestitystä. Olut ja sahti olivat tässä vaiheessa joulukautta sen verran lopuillaan, että tynnyreistä saatiin saaliiksi melko sakeaa juomaa. Tämän vuoksi päivää kutsuttiin myös hiivanuutiksi tai sakkanuutiksi. Jos juomatarjoilussa pihisteltiin, pukki vei tynnyristä tapin tai teki muita kepposia.

Nuutin päivän naamiokiertueet edustavat vanhaa pohjoismaista juhlaperinnettä. Äänekkään juhlinnan taustalla on ajateltu olevan uskomuksen, että suvun vainajat tulevat joulun ajaksi entiseen kotiinsa ja juhla-ajan loppuessa heidät halutaan ajaa pois etteivät he jäisi harhailemaan ja kummittelemaan taloon. Tuntemattomana pysymisen pyrkimys olisi tällöin estää vainajien henkiä näkemästä kuka poisajaja on ja kestitys ikään kuin palkka talon nykyisille asukkaille tehdystä palveluksesta.

Talon oma väki ei tietenkään voinut karkottamista suorittaa, koska he olivat hengille liian tuttuja. Myös Norjassa ajetaan joulu ulos esim. koivun varvulla; tästä perinteestä kertoo mm. se, että vanhoissa riimusauvoissa on Nuutin päivän kohdalla kumollaan olevan juomasarven ohella risun kuva. Vainajien henkien karkottaminen juhlien päätteeksi on kuulunut jo antiikin kreikkalaisten juhlaperinteisiin.

Nuutin päivän kiertueet ovat keskittyneet Lounais-Suomeen ja länsirannikolle, mutta tapaninpäivän ja loppiaisen välinen vuodenvaihteeseen liittyvä karnevaalikäyttäytyminen, kiertueet ja seremoniallinen kyläily on ollut yleistä muuallakin Suomessa. Itäisessä Suomessa kuljettiin talosta taloon erityisesti kekrinä. Nykyään perinnettä jatkavat naamiaisasuihin pukeutuneet lapset, jotka kiertävät taloja laulamassa lauluja makeisia tai rahaa vastaan.

Risto Hakomäki (x)