Kekri (harvest festival)

Kekri, also known as Keyri, Köyri, Köyry (in Torne Valley) and Kööri, is an old annual Finnish society-fashioned harvest festival, celebrated in the fall. The recognition and celebrations of Kekri were stronger when Finland was still an agricultural society, and prior to the modern Christmas culture and traditions being embedded in the Finnish society. Historically, Kekri has also referred to a god.

Originally, the celebration of Kekri was not tied to a permanent calendar date, but – instead – was determined by the ongoing year's agricultural autumn activities. However, by the early 1800s its date stabilized at the All Saints' Day, i.e. in the beginning of November.[1]

Etymology

In various Finnish dialects and in vernacular language, the term kekri and its cognates have been used to refer to the last thing left, residue, remnant and/or end of something, most commonly – and possibly originally – the harvest season. Historically, Kekri was a god that protected cattle. The term has also been used in reference to leprechaun/fairy, scare and scarecrow.[2]

In his listing of Finnish gods in 1551, the Finnish author Mikael Agricola defined Kekri as a god that enhances the growth of livestock: "Käkri se liseis Carjan casvon". In his study 'Mythologica fennica' in 1789, Cristfried Ganander stated the same about Kekri, and added that the term Kekri also refers to the celebration of the end of the harvest season.[3]

The remembrance of the dead is a similarity between the traditional celebrations of Kekri and Halloween. In the Finnic tradition of the past, each family invited their dead to their Kekri feasts, making a part of Kekri formal and serious. The second day of Kekri – however – has traditionally been more relaxed, similar in this respect to Boxing Day in the widespread modern Western Christmas tradition. In the second day of Kekri, especially in the old times, people have visited family and friends, dressed up as various types of Kekri characters. These Kekri characters of the past are commonly viewed as predecessors of the modern-day Santa Claus.

Traditionally, the end of the harvest season in Kekri has been celebrated with abundant feasts, which often have included lamb roast as one of the courses served. Various kinds of magic, spells, beliefs and myths too have also been an important part of old Kekri traditions, as well as bonfires, especially in certain parts of Finland.[4]

Kekri today

Kekri traditions began to disappear in Finland with the industrialization and urbanization of the Finnish society. Many customs and traditions associated with Kekri have since been transferred to the modern Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Some ancient Kekri traditions have remained the longest in Eastern Finland. Today, Kekri is celebrated annually in the Eastern Finnish city of Kajaani by the burning of the so-called Kekri goat (Finnish: Kekripukki), built in the recent times normally by local actors and other players. The incineration of the Kekri goat is usually linked to other program and activities, such as dance and musical performances, street market, feast, etc.

Kekri is celebrated also in other parts of Finland, for instance in the Southern Finnish island of Suomenlinna, where various events are prepared annually in honor of Kekri. The celebrations typically have included abundant feasts, with lamb roast traditionally being part of the menu.[5]

Although the Celtic-originated Halloween has gradually begun to penetrate into the Finnish autumn feast traditions from the United States, Kekri has held its ground. In part due to the celebrations of Halloween having become increasingly commercial, many Finns prefer not to have it associated with Kekri or the All Saints' Day (Finnish: Pyhäinpäivä).

See also

References
  3. Otavan Suuri Ensyklopedia, Part 4, Juusten-Kreikka, p. 2854, Otava, 1978, ISBN 951-1-02232-6.
  5. "Kekri o el primo finlandés del Halloween". Michan en Finlandia (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2016.


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