“The Old Kalevala and certain antecedants” compiled by Elias Lonnrot
One of my best friends from college was Finnish so when I saw this book on our poetry display I lauded my colleague who included Finnish Folk Epic poetry and also I knew what it was! (I am all together too proud to say). It is true that most Americans barely know geography - much less Scandinavian folklore so I wouldn’t blame myself for NOT knowing. It’s just an extra bonus fact. The Kalevala tells the story of the search for/fight over the ‘Sampo’ - a magical device that Emmi (my friend) could never quite explain to us. I did, for a time in college, have a beautiful old fashioned Arthur Rackham-style Illustration of a creature attacking the boat with the Sampo on it. Oh the things we entwine in our lives, right?
**Auto-correct doesn’t highlight “Kalevala”….**
On to this book. For those of you interested in the Kalevala (first of all look up how to pronounce it - do not use a long A like “Kale”) it is the Finnish National Epic. I do so wish we had a National Epic. Next I will research Native American epics. This book has map end-papers (of the region) which, I have probably mentioned and, if not I think every time I see this, ALWAYS make me more interested in a book. Tolkein’s books and Winnie the Pooh have the most engaging end-papers. You almost don’t need the contents!
The Kalevala is long and complex. I would be interested to know what percent of the Finnish population know all these characters and happenings or if it’s a more “This story is one of the more famous parts” situation. There is a list of contents at the beginning that summarizes the stories individually in sentences. Some of which are…
2. Vainamoinen and Louhi of North farm ; his promise of the Sampo11. Vainamoinen and Ilmarinen sue for the Maiden of North Farm (What? Litigious chapter)25. Pregnant from the wind, Loviatar, mistress of North Farm bears nine sons who plague the Kaleva District ; Vainamoinen exorcizes the pains with healer’s and protective charms
In the Proto Kalevala some highlights include….
4. Ilmarinen forges the Sampu (Yeah it says 'Sampu’)9. Lemminkainen intrudes upon the wedding at North Farm ; snake charms (the part I am most interested in) ; the duel at North Farm; Lemminkainen’s hasty return from North Farm and his self-exile on an island
One thing I learned just from reading these exciting plot guides are that the Proto Kalevala and Kalevala tell the same story but with slight differences (probably due to time and storytelling altering the tale.) Typing these Finnish names is a task and a half - and I did not even put the accents on!
I haven’t even gotten into the poetry! If you enjoy Folklore, reminiscent of the Ring Cycle and Elves in Lord of the Rings I recommend the Kalevala and reading about it’s history and legacy (because then you will have context and knowledge to prove or disprove those two comparisons I just threw out.)
“I used to be able to forge a Sampo, to decorate a lid of many colors fromthe feather of a swan, from the side of one fleece, from a single varley corn, from the bits of one distaff when I was going to forge the heavens, tap out the firmament withoutany ground plan, without benefit of a piece of string.” (pg. 23)
