Estonian Traditions
St. John's Day (Jaanipäev)
Estonia and Canada are both northern countries but, unless the reader is a keen student of geography, it may be surprising that Edmonton, Alberta is some 500 kilometres south of Estonia's capital city Tallinn. This observation suggests, at least in part, why the celebration of the summer solstice, generally known as Jaanipäev, continues as a strong national tradition in Estonia as well as abroad where people of Estonian heritage congregate.
Jaanipäev appears to be rooted in ancient pagan rites and customs, although its name is attributed to the Crusades (Jaan used to be a variation of Johannes; hence, the name Jaanipäev and St. John's Day, respectively). Nor did the arrival of Christianity entirely eliminate the pagan beliefs surrounding the holiday. In the late 15th century, Balthasar Rüssow wrote in his Livonian Chronicle that Estonians by-passed Church only to spend their time lighting bonfires, drinking, singing and dancing!
The arrival of the summer solstice signified the end of work in the fields for the purpose of establishing a new crop and the onset of the harvesting season. Magical deeds and rituals became part of Jaanipäeva celebrations. For example, farmers acquired the habit of walking around flowering rye fields to protect the crop against damage by strangers. Aspen, birch and rowan tree sticks were sometimes inserted at the four corners of a field to reduce the growth of weeds. Others started fires around their fields to achieve the same goal. Similarly, sticks might be placed adjacent to rows of cabbage to increase their growth.
Livestock were given special treatment during the midsummer solstice. Cows were kept in barns behind securely-fastened doors to prevent witches from entering and thereby reducing the cow's milk production. The hired hands who looked after the livestock in the field were usually given special delicacies as a bonus for a job well done and were free to visit their families or to attend the midsummer eve bonfire.
The arrival of the midsummer solstice also signalled the preparation of special holiday treats such as fresh butter and bread, and homemade beer. Birch branches (vihalehed) were gathered and prepared for use in the sauna. Maidens wore wreaths of wildflowers during the evening bonfire and sometimes tossed them into the fire at the end of the evening to fend off bad luck in the future. Others considered this action to increase the likelihood of finding a suitable mate. In some regions people, sans their clothes, searched for wildflowers considered to be good luck charms as well as possessing medicinal value.
Estonian fairy tales tell of two lovers, Koit and Hämarik (Dawn and Dusk), who meet momentarily during the shortest night of the year to exchange kisses. It is also rumored that the flower of a very unique fern only blooms on that night, causing lovers to search for it.
Water from springs was considered to have special qualities, especially for washing of eyes. On the eve of Jaanipäev (Jaaniõhtu), the more adventurous went swimming in a river, thereby hoping for a long and healthy life. It was believed that church bells, accidentally drowned or purposely hidden on lake bottoms, would emit sounds on this occasion. Well-water was reputed to taste sweeter at midnight.
For us, it is difficult to visualize a Jaanipäeva celebration without a bonfire. A couple of years ago the writer was able to attend such a celebration in a village 'square' on Saaremaa. Hundreds of villagers and the surrounding countryside had gathered to sing, dance, and be merry. A traditional 'platform' swing attracted the attention of the younger set, just as it did over 50 years or so ago. A huge bonfire, with flames leaping many metres into the air was the tour de force of the evening.
In the olden times, Estonians believed that the bonfire was beneficial to the surroundings wherever the fire's glow was able to reach. The absence of a bonfire was seen as an invitation that evil spirits might prevail; worse still, lack of a bonfire might somehow cause a farmhouse to be destroyed by fire. In general, the bigger the fire the further is caused the evil spirits to scatter. Occasionally, firebrands from the Jaanipäeva bonfire were taken home and kept burning throughout the year.
It is clear that the celebration of Jaanipäeva stems from pagan times and continues as an important holiday marked by Estonians and their descendants globally; it is firmly entrenched in the country's folklore. The bonfire is considered widely as a holy fire that provides many benefits for humans, animals and crops.
It seems entirely self-evident that present-day celebrations of Jaanipäev continue to symbolize the spirit and national traditions that have evolved since ancient times. Jaanipäev is also linked to Estonia becoming a free and independent state in 1919 and again in 1991. In 1992, Jaanipäev (St. John's Day) was officially declared a National Holiday.
Sources
- Matthias Johann Eisen, Esivanemate ohverdamised.
- Mall Hiimuäe, 1998. Rahvakalendri tähtpäevi
Dave Kiil
Edmonton, October, 2000.
