Suomalaisten runojen uskonto

A meticulous study opens with a broad overview of the ancient belief world of the Finnish‑speaking peoples and their close relatives. Drawing on countless oral testimonies, the work maps out the pantheon of nature spirits, ancestral deities, and the rituals that honored them—from forest guardians and water sprites to rites for the dead and the seasonal bear ceremony. It frames these practices within the early stages of religious development, showing how myth and daily life intertwined long before written records appeared.

The author explains a collaborative research method that brings together specialists in linguistics, folklore and anthropology, each contributing material from distinct regions such as the Mordvins, the Ugric groups, and the Sami. Listeners will be guided through vivid descriptions of sacred places, the worship of trees and crops, and the complex interplay of indigenous customs with external influences. The narrative remains grounded in the evidence, offering a clear picture of how these early spiritual systems formed the foundation for later cultural identities.