Myth of the First Trees (Kalevala)

The myth of the planting of the first trees based on The Kalevala. The story is believed to have roots in the hunter-gatherer society of the Stone Age, a time when trees, and especially trees that bear some kind of edible fruit, like the rowan, the bird-cherry, the juniper and the oak, had a special significance.

The trees are planted by a magical beeing, maybe a kind of fertility god, Sampsa Pellervoinen. Other magical helpers are the "brides of the Sea" who's help is needed to make the acorn sprout. When the oak is referred to as "God's own tree", presumably the god intended is Ukko, the god of thunder.

The "trees" planted by Väinämöinen and his helpers are:

pine - mänty
fir (actually spruce) - kuusi
birch - koivu
alder - leppä
sallow (salix caprea) - raita
willow (or osier) - paju
bird cherry -tuomi
heather - kanerva
juniper - kataja
rowan - pihlaja
oak - tammi

For my last video (The Myth of the Great Oak) I used Crawford's English translation, but since he has got the name of the trees partly wrong, I choose to also work with an anonymous translation I found on the Internet this time.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Finland
• Finnish
• mythology
• mytologi
• mytologia
• Kalevala
• tree
• trees
• Suomi
• Väinämöinen
• istuttaa
• puut
• religion
• pakana
• pakanallinen
• usko
• neopagan
• pagan
• heathen
• druids
• druid
• mystery
• history
• historia
• magic
• magick
• shamanism
• shaman
• fertility
• god

[nodeterin]

I really wish to hear some Kalevala reading to the Kalevala Melody. Would be greatful if you could help.

[Treewich]

@nodeterin Do you mean in English? There is lots of Kalevala singing on Youtube, but most of it is in Finnish or in Karelian (seach for Kalevala melody) Crawford's old translation is actually written on meter, but I haven't tried singing it. It can be read online so everyone is free to try :)

[Snuffkin1990]

I love this, i'm a fine art student and for few years mny work has revolved around finnish mythology

[kozmon0t]

Every time Vainamoinen needs something does he just sing it into existence?

[WyattKaldenberg]

Very good stuff you produce

[Thorskegga]

Beautiful thank you.

[nodeterin]

Oh, I know that one somehow by heart! XD

I'll try and let you know, thanks!

[Ishexan]

I don't know about the sung versions on Youtube, but this one has the melody pretty clearly: Ensiferum - Kalevala Melody (still-pics version)

Try sining the German translation to that and see if it works. Good luck!

[nodeterin]

I am actually reading the German translation at the moment. It feels as if it does also have some kind of metric (Germans are quite good at keepin that!) but stil I have no idea. I searched Klevala Melody and all I found on YouTube were videos of the melody only. So yes, only Finnish or Karelian would also help greatly.^^

[antpop1]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for posting. In fact, the entire playlist is amazing! Thank you for sharing; it is truly inspiring.