HILARIOUS ESTONIA: PART II
Pictures: Hillar Mets Text: Rohke Debelakk
Every Nation Has Its Own Symbols
Every nation has its own symbols, and Estonians, therefore, began using theirs as well. Primarily in order to recognise their own kind among strangers. There has always been a myriad of strangers in Estonia, and it often happened that when an Estonian came home, he found his house full of all sorts of people. He was then hard put to determine which of the women was his own, or who was his son, brother or other relative.
It was thus agreed that all Estonians would start walking around with one hand on their hip, and the other one too. Alas, it turned out most tiring, and caused a good deal of trouble at work: crop failure and starvation would soon be banging on the door. For that reason it was decided that the Estonians would start wearing similar clothes. The fashions were debated for centuries, until true to the spirit of Estonian pig-headedness, each region designed its own costume.
The Estonians also have their flag, national flower and bird. At first these things were united, and the swallow fulfilled the functions of all three. The swallow sat on the roof instead of the flag, or when circumstances demanded, it was brought in side and stuck into a vase as a flower. In autumn, unfortunately, the swallow’s genes got the upper hand and for the long winter months it would fly away to far-off southern climes. The last thing people saw of it in autumn was its white underbelly and black wings against the background of the blue sky. A really empty and melancholy feeling.
As a last resort, these colours – blue, black and white – were painted onto a yard of linen cloth and hoisted up a tall mast to cheer people up. One fine summer’s day, a farmer chanced upon a weird plant in his precious rye field – similar to a flower, but no-one had seen anything like it before. The thing was blue – with a hint of black and white. It was unanimously agreed not to stick swallows into vases any more, and start worshipping the corn flower instead.
The man in the picture, as you will have noticed, has a small wooden chest stuck under his arm. The chest is meant for storing knowledge, because according to our national epic, knowledge is worth more than silver treasure and hoards of gold. That is why he keeps the treasure close to himself.
Quite peculiar is the way Estonians relate to the inhabitants of Hell. Making fun of the honest mind of the Old Nick, and abusing his gullibility, an Estonian is forever willing to double-cross the devil.
Published by courtesy of the authors and the Estonian Institute.
Read also PART I on what types of Estonian people exist.
Every Nation Has Its Own Symbols
Every nation has its own symbols, and Estonians, therefore, began using theirs as well. Primarily in order to recognise their own kind among strangers. There has always been a myriad of strangers in Estonia, and it often happened that when an Estonian came home, he found his house full of all sorts of people. He was then hard put to determine which of the women was his own, or who was his son, brother or other relative.
It was thus agreed that all Estonians would start walking around with one hand on their hip, and the other one too. Alas, it turned out most tiring, and caused a good deal of trouble at work: crop failure and starvation would soon be banging on the door. For that reason it was decided that the Estonians would start wearing similar clothes. The fashions were debated for centuries, until true to the spirit of Estonian pig-headedness, each region designed its own costume.
The Estonians also have their flag, national flower and bird. At first these things were united, and the swallow fulfilled the functions of all three. The swallow sat on the roof instead of the flag, or when circumstances demanded, it was brought in side and stuck into a vase as a flower. In autumn, unfortunately, the swallow’s genes got the upper hand and for the long winter months it would fly away to far-off southern climes. The last thing people saw of it in autumn was its white underbelly and black wings against the background of the blue sky. A really empty and melancholy feeling.
As a last resort, these colours – blue, black and white – were painted onto a yard of linen cloth and hoisted up a tall mast to cheer people up. One fine summer’s day, a farmer chanced upon a weird plant in his precious rye field – similar to a flower, but no-one had seen anything like it before. The thing was blue – with a hint of black and white. It was unanimously agreed not to stick swallows into vases any more, and start worshipping the corn flower instead.The man in the picture, as you will have noticed, has a small wooden chest stuck under his arm. The chest is meant for storing knowledge, because according to our national epic, knowledge is worth more than silver treasure and hoards of gold. That is why he keeps the treasure close to himself.
Quite peculiar is the way Estonians relate to the inhabitants of Hell. Making fun of the honest mind of the Old Nick, and abusing his gullibility, an Estonian is forever willing to double-cross the devil.
Published by courtesy of the authors and the Estonian Institute.
Read also PART I on what types of Estonian people exist.