Äkräs
| Äkräs | |
|---|---|
Creator of Peas, Beans, Rutabagas, Cabbages, Flax and Hemp | |
| Other names | Äyräs, Ägräs, Äkröi, Ägröi, Egres, Ägrässie, Äkrässie |
| Ethnic group | Finns, Karelians |
| Offspring | Ähky (Horse colic) |
| Equivalents | |
| Belarusian | Sporys[1] |
| Latvian | Jumis[1] |
Äkräs or Äyräs is a haltija or god of various plants in Finnish mythology. She was first mentioned in writing by Mikael Agricola in 1551: "Egres created peas, beans, rutabagas / Brought forth cabbages, flax, hemp" (Egres hernet Pawudh Naurit loi / Caalit Linat ia Hamput edestoi). She was also later associated with potatoes.
She was known widely from Western Finland to Karelia, and there are many similar beliefs as those associated with Äkräs in traditions around Europe. Similar beliefs also exist among Udmurts.[1]
Name
[edit]The spelling "Egres", as mentioned by Agricola, was quoted in all writings until 1761. Vicar in Leppävirta, I.D. Alopaeus, said this name in Leppävirta and Kuopio was "Äcräs". Terms such as äkräs rutabaga refer to a rutabaga with two ends growing from the same core (or conjoined rutabagas). Similar terminology has also been used in relation to potatoes and flax.[1]
In North Ostrobothnia, the name has been known in the form Äyräs. In Karelia, different variations exist, such as Ägräs, Äkrässie, Ägrässie, Ägröi and Äkröi.
The origin of the name could be in the Proto-Germanic *akra-z ("field"). Martti Haavio suggested an origin in the term "Pyhä Greus" (Saint Gregory).[2]
In folk poetry
[edit]Äkräs appears in Karelian poems read out when sowing rutabagas. She also appears in a North Ostrobothnian stone origin spell: "Stone is the son of kimmo, kammo, / Egg of earth, little cake of the field, / The end of the palm of the (honourable) old mother Äyräs" (Kivi on kimmon, kammon poika, / Maan muna, pellon kakkara, / Äyräs-ämmän kämmenpää).[3]
Beliefs
[edit]When an äkräs rutabaga was found, it was put into a hole with a ritual. Details of the ritual vary by region. However, a central part is pretending the rutabaga is too heavy to be carried. These rutabagas, and later also potatoes, were seen to have extra fertility power.[1] In Kainuu, Äkräs of the Field was worshipped during sowing and harvest, and a large bread was offered to her at the start of sowing.[4]
Äkräs was also a protector of the field who yelled out loud if there was a thief on the field. If there was a rutabaga that had split, it was said this was caused by the rutabaga yelling so much.[4]
On fields made on hills, her home was on the side closest to the bottom of the slope, as this side also tended to be more fertile over time. It was also said that horse colic was the son of Äyräs.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Harva, Uno (1948). Suomalaisten muinaisusko. WSOY. p. 209–219.
- ^ Janne Saarikivi (2022). "Huomioita Agricolan psalttarin esipuheen jumalista ja muusta itämerensuomalaisesta mytologisesta sanastosta". In Jeremy Bradley (ed.). Tonavan Laakso: Eine Festschrift für Johanna Laakso. Central European Uralic Studies. Vol. 2. Praesens Verlag. p. 389–390. ISBN 9783706911597.
- ^ SKVR XII1 3860. Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura. 1891. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ a b c Alanen, Viljo (1939). Satakunta: Kotiseututkimuksia XI (Äyräs - Ägräs). Vammala: Satakuntalainen Osakunta. p. 192–198.
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