The Estonian Folk Calendar

The Estonian folk calendar

1.What does it mean when we say that “winter’s spine is broken” on Winter’s Crest Day (taliharjapäev)?

a.Half of winter is over and half is still ahead.

b.This winter day would usually be warm.

c.People would make brushes (harjad) for the winter on this day.

d.People went out to crack the ice with axes on this day.

2.Which of the following exist in the Estonian folk calendar?

a.seitsmemagajapäev (Day of Seven Sleepers)

b.seitsmevennapäev (Day of Seven Brothers)

c.seitsmepähklipäev (Day of Seven Nuts)

d.seitsmevarbapäev (Day of Seven Toes)

e.a and b

f. a and d

g.none of the above

3.Why is August called the “Rotting Month”?

a.It is nobody’s favorite time of the year.

b.If potatoes were not dug up by August, they would rot.

c.The most crimes are committed by rotten people during this month.

d.In the hot weather, everything sours, rots and decomposes easily.

4.On the night of nääriöö (December 31 - January 1)

a.bread and salt are left on the table to guarantee plenty for the new year

b.people place candles on family graves

c.people go outside to shoot fireworks

d.all of the above

5.Which of the following IS NOT found in the Estonian folk calendar?

a.Madisepäev (St. Matthew’s Day)

b.Jüripäev (St. George’s Day)

c.Jaanipäev (St. John’s Day)

d.Mardipäev (St. Martin’s Day)

e.Mihklipäev (St. Michael’s Day)

f.Gunnaripäev (St. Gunnar’s Day)

g.Jaagupipäev (St. Jacob’s Day)

h.Andresepäev (St. Andrew’s Day)

6.On St. Catherine’s Day (kadripäev) (November 25),

a.kadri beggars (kadrisandid) run from farm to farm. It was believed that they brought good luck for the livestock.

b.mart’s beggars (mardisandid) run from farm to farm. People were afraid of them.

c.women named Kadri were not allowed to go outside.

d.women named Kadri had to go outside.

7.Why is July called the “Horse Nodding Month”?

a.There are lots of horseflies around to bite horses, who throw their heads up and down to try and get rid of them.

b.Horses like this warm month.

c.In July, horses throw their heads up and down when they run.

d.This is a name given to the month of July as a joke.

8.Why was the period from late September through Christmas called “The Time of Souls” (hingedeaeg)?

a.It was easier to breathe in the cooler weather.

b.People were afraid of the ghosts that would come to haunt them as the days got shorter.

c.People believed that during these quiet days and nights, the souls of their ancestors walked the earth. They would leave food and heat up the sauna for them.

d.It was the time of a popular soul music festival.

9.Which of the following IS NOT found in the Estonian folk calendar?

a.St. Catherine’s Day (Kadripäev)

b.St. Aili’s Day (Ailipäev)

c.St. Anne’s Day (Annepäev)

d.St. Mary Magdalene’s Day (Madlipäev)

e.St. Mary’s Day (Maarjapäev)

10.The old Estonians believed that starting with St. Mary’s Snake Day (ussimaarjapäev) (Sept. 8),

a.all the snakes lose their poison.

b.snakes start to eat berries.

c.all women named Mary turn into snakes.

d.There is no such day in the folk calendar.