Reconstructions of Iron Age Finnic swords, scabbards and a spear. It was common for Finnics of the time to adorn their weapons and tools in silver and bronze ornaments.



The ornaments have various origins. This spear from Eura has a pattern imitating the typical Germanic serpentine style.

The idea that Estonians have lived in Estonia for thousands of years is surprisingly new. According to Æstonia Rediviva, a chronicle written by Baltic German David Werner in the 17th c, Estonians travelled and waged war around the ancient world, finally settling on the Vistula... ...river, where they replaced the Wends and made allies with the Scythians, with whom they became brothers-in-arms. According to Werner Estonians arrived in Estonia only in the 10th century, followed by a great war with the Danes and the eventual Christianisation of Estonians.

THREAD ON FINNO-UGRIC CREATION MYTHS

Creation myths all around the Finno-Ugric world are very similar. Almost all of them are diver myths, sharing similarities to creation myths in other parts of the world, such as Eastern Europe, Siberia, East Asia and North America. Finno-Ugric creation myths almost always begin with a primordial ocean and a waterfowl (usually duck or loon). They can be further divided into two categories: ones where the head-god is born from the waterfowl's egg and ones where the head-god already exists.

THREAD ON ESTONIAN WEDDING CUSTOMS

The wedding was one of the most important events in traditional Estonian society. These wedding traditions are typical for a patriarchal clan-based society and similar customs are found all around the world, especially among Finno-Ugric people. PICKING A BRIDE AND ENGAGEMENT

The whole marriage process was conducted by the groom's parents and other older relatives, they had the final say in the matter. Picking the right bride was of great importance, since the marriage wouldn't only secure the clan's survival...

THREAD ON PJERA

Pjera is one of my favourite Finno-Ugric heroes of all time. He's an all-encompassing hero and it's almost as if he has had multiple reincarnations that lived in different time periods through history. In this thread I'll share some stories about him. Despite the varying stories and "reincarnations", Pjera is always depicted as a strongman doing great deeds, preceded by episodes of peaceful labor as a hunter or farmer. He is kind, humble, quick-tempered and easy-going, and cannot stand injustice or dishonour.

THREAD ON SIRTYANS

Sirtyans are a mythical people, who once lived around the Nenets okrug, before they were replaced and assimilated by the migrating Nenets from the east. According to legend, they came from across the arctic to settle on Yamal. They are described to be very short and with light eyes. They wore beautiful clothes with metal pendants. In general, they are described as great metallurgists and blacksmiths. Unlike the Nenets, they were mainly hunters, though legends also say they herded mammoths underground.