The effort you have put into this - WOW! I'm humbled! I'd just like to add this (comment) As someone who has identified as a pagan or atheist for most of my life I have come to the conclusion (in my 40's) that I'm not either. I am what the culture I was brought up in has encoded in me and most of that has been unintentionally (meaning children learn from what they see, by mimicking, rather than from preaching). Thus I'd say the values we hold dear and express/show/communicate has more to do with our parents and grandparents and .... (enter Bible reference for 7 generations) rather than what is actually said in any religious text. The way we rationalize something is another matter altogether.
Very fascinating and enlightening! Didn't have a clue about Estonia, history & believes. It's great to know there are resilient people who were able to maintain their culture, identity, and believes despite all the adverse pressures throughout history, especially in Europe, between East and west. Thank you! Marlin:)
Public opinion surveys show that more than half of the Estonian population believes in the spirituality of nature. But still there is constant pressure to these natural holy places by wood industry. There are sacred groves that have been destroyed by logging companies. Places that where protected by the law. Money corrupts people who believe only in money.
Perhaps because of "maausk" but more likely because of Stalins "war on food" and what my elders endured... "Don't play with food" is what I was thought/told by my parents and grandparents, almost religiously, starting as early as I can remember. However, we were also told to respect our surroundings and not to waste in any way. To me "maausk" is more about the energy of all things and about avoiding needless harm.
The paganistic traditions, such as folk singing is actually what started the Singing Revolution and ended the Soviet Union's domain in the Baltics. Also, another fun fact; the Saaremaa Vikings were called Oeselians or Osilians in english (Ösels in Estonian) and they were the absolute LAST stronghold of Paganism. Several crusades failed and when one finally succeeded, the vikings there pretended to convert but burnt down the church as soon as the forces left. This happened the exact same way once more until the final conversion. You can read all about it here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oeselians
Good job on making an effort and going deep into our cultural heritage! Here are couple of my remarks. 1) Eastern Crusade did not have even a slightest hint of moral high-ground - it's only purpose was to pillage, steal, kill, conquer and ... worse. Estonians never posed a threat to Christians. It was an imperialistic war that is called Ancient War of Independence and went on for several centuries. Once Estonian Kings were treacherously killed on a peace summit. And yes, Estonians lost it in the end, hence the Lutheran churches, German landlords and its cultural influence. 2) Vikings were not a nationally homologous phenomena. Some Estonians were also Vikings. Islands of the Baltic Sea definitely had them, including Ösel/Thule/Saaremaa. Scandinavians came to pillage us and we in return pillaged them back. Story goes that once Estonians retaliated by burning down Swedish capital of Sigtuna (it was surely pillaged and burnt down, but written history is not present from that time). Fun times! But from that time we also share common rune alphabet, which was likely even more ancient predating the migration of nations. 3) Pagans was something Germans called all Estonians, who were not Christian (and for centuries, not that many actually were). There was just not enough motivation to enforce the rule of Churches violently, all the local overlords really cared, was if they got their taxes and forced labor. As you correctly stated Maausk is an ancient belief system that is an umbrella over all different beliefs and traditions practiced by Estonians. It includes fairies, pixies, mermaids, devils, animal and forest spirits, ghosts etc. There are also healers/shamans/wise people, who were part of that culture. No gods, just stories and traditions. But there was also a polytheistic religion in Estonia similar to Finnish (were probably a common religion once), and can be classified as a version of Proto-Norse religion (Thor, Odin, Loki etc.). All the names of the gods are different, but the classification is similar. There are VERY few Estonians nowadays who can be called as practitioners of this religion now. So mainly Estonians are just atheists.
I somewhat disagree that eastern crusades were only for pillage and plunder. I mean, sure they did the plundering but, during those times the main purpose was always to spread christianity. One other thing to consider is that, Vikings and some other tribal cultures around used to raid christians religiously. It was an easy loot... until christian kingdoms bacame too powerful. Thats one reason why christians always thought of pagans like demons and such! Basically animosity throughout generations that fueled itself!
11:20 Estonia (and Lithuania, and Latvia, and parts of Finland, and the eastern part of Poland, and Bessarabia) were annexed by the Soviet Union already in 1939-1940.
as far as I can remember (being born and raised in Tallinn) Christianity historically had been a religion of colonial powers (Dutch, Swedish, German and Russian) while Baltic native people used to be Pagan, like Celtic Britons
I always found one thing interesting when it comes to the old ways... namely, some north american native tribes had remarkably similar traditions compared with our ''maausk'' or nature worshiping! Im inclined to think that theres some distant connection going back to the ice age perhaps or even earlyer?
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The effort you have put into this - WOW!
I'm humbled!
I'd just like to add this (comment)
As someone who has identified as a pagan or atheist for most of my life I have come to the conclusion (in my 40's) that I'm not either. I am what the culture I was brought up in has encoded in me and most of that has been unintentionally (meaning children learn from what they see, by mimicking, rather than from preaching). Thus I'd say the values we hold dear and express/show/communicate has more to do with our parents and grandparents and .... (enter Bible reference for 7 generations) rather than what is actually said in any religious text.
The way we rationalize something is another matter altogether.
Very fascinating and enlightening! Didn't have a clue about Estonia, history & believes. It's great to know there are resilient people who were able to maintain their culture, identity, and believes despite all the adverse pressures throughout history, especially in Europe, between East and west. Thank you! Marlin:)
Public opinion surveys show that more than half of the Estonian population believes in the spirituality of nature. But still there is constant pressure to these natural holy places by wood industry. There are sacred groves that have been destroyed by logging companies. Places that where protected by the law. Money corrupts people who believe only in money.
Kuid esineb ka vastuolu, kus Eesti paganlust tunnistab vaid mõni tuhat - samas kui enamus isegi ei tea mis need, maausk ja taarausk, on.
Perhaps because of "maausk" but more likely because of Stalins "war on food" and what my elders endured...
"Don't play with food" is what I was thought/told by my parents and grandparents, almost religiously, starting as early as I can remember.
However, we were also told to respect our surroundings and not to waste in any way.
To me "maausk" is more about the energy of all things and about avoiding needless harm.
The paganistic traditions, such as folk singing is actually what started the Singing Revolution and ended the Soviet Union's domain in the Baltics.
Also, another fun fact; the Saaremaa Vikings were called Oeselians or Osilians in english (Ösels in Estonian) and they were the absolute LAST stronghold of Paganism. Several crusades failed and when one finally succeeded, the vikings there pretended to convert but burnt down the church as soon as the forces left. This happened the exact same way once more until the final conversion.
You can read all about it here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oeselians
@@JDoeX thanks for the comment and link. The people of Saaremaa were totally badass.
After watching your video, Estonia's pagan practices makes more sense.
Thanks 👍
thank u for the video
Good job on making an effort and going deep into our cultural heritage!
Here are couple of my remarks.
1) Eastern Crusade did not have even a slightest hint of moral high-ground - it's only purpose was to pillage, steal, kill, conquer and ... worse. Estonians never posed a threat to Christians. It was an imperialistic war that is called Ancient War of Independence and went on for several centuries. Once Estonian Kings were treacherously killed on a peace summit. And yes, Estonians lost it in the end, hence the Lutheran churches, German landlords and its cultural influence.
2) Vikings were not a nationally homologous phenomena. Some Estonians were also Vikings. Islands of the Baltic Sea definitely had them, including Ösel/Thule/Saaremaa. Scandinavians came to pillage us and we in return pillaged them back. Story goes that once Estonians retaliated by burning down Swedish capital of Sigtuna (it was surely pillaged and burnt down, but written history is not present from that time). Fun times! But from that time we also share common rune alphabet, which was likely even more ancient predating the migration of nations.
3) Pagans was something Germans called all Estonians, who were not Christian (and for centuries, not that many actually were). There was just not enough motivation to enforce the rule of Churches violently, all the local overlords really cared, was if they got their taxes and forced labor. As you correctly stated Maausk is an ancient belief system that is an umbrella over all different beliefs and traditions practiced by Estonians. It includes fairies, pixies, mermaids, devils, animal and forest spirits, ghosts etc. There are also healers/shamans/wise people, who were part of that culture. No gods, just stories and traditions. But there was also a polytheistic religion in Estonia similar to Finnish (were probably a common religion once), and can be classified as a version of Proto-Norse religion (Thor, Odin, Loki etc.). All the names of the gods are different, but the classification is similar. There are VERY few Estonians nowadays who can be called as practitioners of this religion now.
So mainly Estonians are just atheists.
@@terkojakobson thanks for the comment. You add a lot of detail that I didn't cover.
I somewhat disagree that eastern crusades were only for pillage and plunder.
I mean, sure they did the plundering but, during those times the main purpose was always to spread christianity.
One other thing to consider is that, Vikings and some other tribal cultures around used to raid christians religiously. It was an easy loot... until christian kingdoms bacame too powerful. Thats one reason why christians always thought of pagans like demons and such! Basically animosity throughout generations that fueled itself!
great video!
11:20 Estonia (and Lithuania, and Latvia, and parts of Finland, and the eastern part of Poland, and Bessarabia) were annexed by the Soviet Union already in 1939-1940.
Very interesting!
as far as I can remember (being born and raised in Tallinn) Christianity historically had been a religion of colonial powers (Dutch, Swedish, German and Russian) while Baltic native people used to be Pagan, like Celtic Britons
Dutch ? 🙃🙃🙃🙃. You mean Danes, I quess.
@@eeroving9770 do I really look like I give a flying F?
@@megaotstoy i mean you cleary do give at least a little bit of a f
Fantastic work making this video
Thank you.
that was good
I always found one thing interesting when it comes to the old ways... namely, some north american native tribes had remarkably similar traditions compared with our ''maausk'' or nature worshiping!
Im inclined to think that theres some distant connection going back to the ice age perhaps or even earlyer?
Nice job😊
Thanks Daiva. Had I seen your videos I would have looked you up in Lithuania. I traveled everywhere by bicycle.
REJECT THE MIDDLE EASTERN GODS
I have no idea where you got your idea about what monotheism is.
no, estonia is not going pagan but remains - simple