This paper considers the beliefs of ancient Finnish and Karelian culture about death, immortality and ghosts. These beliefs are reflected in the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Finno-ugric mythology has a great deal in common with Greek mythology. The beliefs described in the paper are discussed in the light of certain psychodynamic views.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
FreudS., Our Attitudes Towards Death, Collected Papers of S. Freud, Standard Edition XIV, Hogarth Press, London, 1962.
2.
KemppinenI., Haudantakainen Elämä (Life Beyond the Grave), Karjalan Tutkimusseura, Helsinki, 1967.
3.
HarvaU., Altain Suvun Uskonto (Beliefs of the Altaic Tribe), WSOY, Porvoo, 1933.
4.
Kalevala, English translation by KirbyW.F., Everyman's Library, London, 1966.
5.
HaavioM., Suomalainen Mytologia (Finnish Mythology), WSOY, Porvoo, 1967.
6.
AchtéK.A.LönnqvistJ., Death and Suicide in Finnish Mythology and Folklore, Psychiatria Fennica, 3, pp. 59–63, 1972.
7.
PaulaharjuS., Syntymä, Lapsuus ja Kuolema (Birth, Childhood and Death), WSOY, Porvoo, 1924.
