Jussi
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finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Jussi
@finnfolklorist.bsky.social
390 followers 340 following 850 posts
I am interested in myths, legends and folklore. I don't' like nazis, tankies or Russia.

I am mostly active on here on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Ogun Oru is a traditional explanation for nocturnal disturbances among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria; ogun oru ("nocturnal warfare") involves an acute night-time disturbance that is culturally attributed to demonic infiltration of the body and psyche during dreaming.

#FolkyFriday 🧵
A woman lies in bed, wide-eyed and terrified, as a ghostly figure emerges from the shadows, its eerie hand reaching out toward her. Her calm, sleeping partner lies beside her, oblivious to the spiritual attack. The moonlight casts an eerie glow over the scene, heightening the tension.
November 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
In Albanian folk beliefs, Mokthi is believed to be a male spirit with a golden fez hat who appears to women who are usually tired or suffering and stops them from moving. It is believed that if they can take his golden hat,

#FolkyFriday 🧵
The image shows a mystical, intense-looking man in an ornate golden hat leaning over a sleeping or unconscious young person. Misty, ghostlike smoke surrounds them, creating a magical and slightly eerie atmosphere.
November 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
At the beginning of Eino Hosia's (1905–1941) novel Tuliholvin Alla (Under the Fire Vault) (1940),we enter through a gate into the world of the front line,which is not a nightmare,but “a terrestrial reality for which there is no comparison”.The book is based on Hosia's own experiences

#BookWormSat 🧵
The image shows a book titled “Tuliholvin alla” by Eino Hosia. Here’s what’s visible on the cover: The background features large, stylized flames in shades of orange and yellow, giving an intense, dramatic look. The author’s name Eino Hosia is printed at the top in bold black letters. The title TULIHOLVIN ALLA (Finnish, roughly “Under the Vault of Fire”) appears prominently in large black text. Along the bottom of the cover, there is an illustration of barbed wire fencing set against a dark ground, suggesting themes of war or confinement. The spine shows wear, and the bottom edge of the cover looks slightly tattered, indicating the book is older or well-used. The publisher’s mark “OTAVA” appears near the lower right.
November 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
All Quiet on the Western Front (German: Im Westen nichts Neues, lit. 'Nothing New from the West') is a semi-autobiographical novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I. The book describes the German soldiers' extreme physical and mental trauma during the war

#BookWormSat 🧵
Cover of the novel "Im Westen nichts Neues" ("All Quiet on the Western Front") by Erich Maria Remarque. The design features the title in ornate Gothic script on an olive-green background. Below the text is a German World War I soldier’s helmet resting on a wooden cross, symbolizing a grave. In the lower corner, it notes that the book has sold ten million copies in 45 languages and is published by Ullstein.
November 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Unknown Soldier (Finnish: Tuntematon sotilas, Swedish: Okänd soldat) or Unknown Soldiers is a war novel by Finnish author Väinö Linna, considered his magnum opus. Published in 1954, The Unknown Soldier chronicles the 1941–1944 Continuation War

#BookWormSat 🧵
Cover of the novel "Tuntematon sotilas" ("The Unknown Soldier") by Väinö Linna. The design shows the silhouette of a soldier wearing a helmet, rendered in white against a red background. The title and author’s name are printed in bold black letters, with the publisher’s name, WSOY, at the bottom.
November 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
During times of war,a Roman general could perform a devotio,a ritualistic self-sacrifice by vowing his own life and the enemy's legions to the gods to secure victory.The general would throw himself into the enemy ranks,and his sacrifice was believed to ensure the Roman army's triumph.

#FolkyFriday
The Devotion of Marcus Curtius. Jean-Leon Gerome. Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton. Dramatic painting of a young man on a white horse leaping into a fiery chasm, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers in ancient Roman attire, with classical buildings and temples in the background.
November 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Bridge of Arta (Greek: Γεφύρι της Άρτας) is a stone bridge that crosses the Arachthos river (Άραχθος) in the west of the city of Arta (Άρτα) in northwestern Greece. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries,

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The Stone bridge of Arta Stone arch bridge spanning a turquoise river, surrounded by green trees and grass under a clear blue sky.
November 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Hitobashira (Japanese: 人柱; "human pillar"), also known in Chinese as da sheng zhuang (simplified Chinese: 打生桩; traditional Chinese: 打生樁; pinyin: dǎshēngzhuāng; Jyutping: daa2saang1zong1), is a cultural practice of human sacrifice of premature burial before the

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Memorial at the foot of the Matsue Ohashi Bridge A paved riverside walkway with stone monuments and markers near a bridge, with a tree in the foreground and city buildings visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Nazi Germany during World War II.

The novel follows the adventures of a young girl, Liesel Meminger. Narrated by Death, the novel presents the lives and viewpoints

#BookWormSat 🧵
Alt text: The book cover of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak features a minimalist illustration of a young girl holding hands and dancing with the figure of Death, depicted as a dark, hooded skeleton. The background is a textured parchment color with the author’s name in uppercase at the top and the title written in a flowing, handwritten-style font near the bottom. The cover evokes themes of mortality, innocence, and storytelling set against the backdrop of war.
November 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Sudenmorsian/The Wolf’s Bride, by Finnish-Estonian writer Aino Kallas, retells an ancient folk tale.

The story of Aalo, wife of Priidik the forester, who was changed by Satan into a werewolf, and fled from her lawful husband into the wilds, and there did

#BookWormSat 🧵
Book cover of Sudenmorsian by Aino Kallas. The background is a dark purple color with decorative vine-like patterns. The title is written in large white letters arranged vertically, and one of the letters contains a silhouette of a howling wolf against a full moon. The author’s name appears below the title, and the publisher "Otava" is at the bottom.
October 25, 2025 at 8:10 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Young Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a noblewoman, is with child again. None of her previous pregnancies have borne fruit, and her husband, Richard, is anxious for an heir. Then Fleetwood discovers a hidden doctor’s letter that carries a dire prediction: she will not survive another birth.

#BookWormSat 🧵
The Familiars by Stacey Halls. The design features white title text surrounded by colorful illustrations of flowers, plants, and birds against a dark blue background. Near the bottom, a small blue fox is nestled among the foliage. At the top, a quote praises the novel as “a beautiful tale of women, witchcraft and the fight against power.” The artwork evokes themes of nature, magic, and femininity.
October 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Let the Right One In (Swedish: Låt den rätte komma in) is a 2004 vampire novel by Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist. The story centers on the relationship between a 12-year-old boy, Oskar, and a centuries-old vampire child, Eli. It takes place in Blackeberg,

#BookWormSat 🧵
The Swedish book cover of Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The cover shows a pale, motionless figure of a young person lying on the ground, eyes closed, in dim lighting that gives a chilling, eerie atmosphere. Across the upper part of the image is a white paper-like rectangle with the title and author’s name in black and red text, with two blood splatters marking the page. The design evokes themes of horror, death, and vampirism central to the novel.
October 25, 2025 at 7:34 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

Albert Camus

#BookWormSat
An autumnal photo from Finland. Trees with colourful leaves by a lake. A boat in the lower right corner.
October 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Sundiata Keita (Mandinka, Malinke: [sʊndʒæta keɪta]; c. 1217 – c. 1255,] N'Ko spelling: ߛߏ߲߬ߖߘߊ߬ ߞߋߕߊ߬; also known as Manding Diara, Lion of Mali, Sogolon Djata, son of Sogolon, Nare Maghan and Sogo Sogo Simbon Salaba) was a prince and founder of the Mali Empire.

#FolkyFriday 🧵
Sundiata Keita wearing a gold crown and layered jewelry sits on a throne, dressed in flowing white and gold robes. The background is filled with warm golden light and shadowy figures, creating an atmosphere of power and grandeur.
October 17, 2025 at 10:41 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Queen Vida is a legendary heroine from the folk tradition of the Slovene minority in Friuli (Slavia Friulana). Her story is closely associated with the Grotta di San Giovanni d’Antro (Slovene: Landarska jama) near San Pietro al Natisone (Slovene: Špeter Slovenov)

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Illustration of a crowned woman in a long green dress holding a sieve and pouring out small grains. The text above her reads “kraljica Vida” in bold black letters on a light gray background.
October 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Queen of Sheba,[a] also known as Bilqis[b] in Arabic and as Makeda[c] in Geʽez, is a figure first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. In the original story, she brings a caravan of valuable gifts for Solomon, the fourth King of Israel and Judah.

#FolkyFriday 🧵
Queen of Sheba, sits regally on an ornate throne adorned with gold and jewels. She wears a white and gold gown with a red embroidered cloak, golden jewelry, and a bejeweled headdress. Two attendants stand behind her, fanning her with peacock-feather fans. The setting is lavish, with intricate patterns, incense smoke, and a tiger-skin rug beneath her feet.
October 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Algernon Blackwood is renowned for his compelling short stories. Some of his best include “The Willows,” “The Wendigo,” and “The Listener. ” These stories showcase his mastery of atmosphere and psychological depth,

#BookWormSat 🧵
"Black and white portrait of a man in formal attire, shown in profile. He has short hair, is wearing a suit and bow tie, and is looking straight ahead with a serious expression."
October 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a harvest festival celebrated in Chinese culture. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night,

#FolkyFriday 🧵
People dressed in traditional attire release glowing lanterns onto a tranquil lake under the full moon during the Mooncake Festival. This Mid-Autumn celebration, rooted in Chinese culture, honors family unity, gratitude for the harvest, and the beauty of the bright moon that symbolizes togetherness and renewal.
October 10, 2025 at 11:31 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
The Ould Lammas Fair is a traditional and historic fair held annually in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. It is one of Ireland's oldest fairs, originating from the harvest festival and the ancient festival of Lughnasadh.

#FolkyFriday 🧵
The bustling Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, fills a sunlit street lined with colorful buildings, including a pink one near the top of the hill. Crowds of people walk among market stalls, vehicles, and a parade of horses with black-and-white coats. In the background, the spire of a stone church rises above the town’s rooftops, while overhead wires stretch across the blue sky. The lively scene captures the atmosphere of this historic fair, known for its horse trading, local produce, and festive community spirit.
October 10, 2025 at 11:13 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
With its centuries-old tradition, the Basel Autumn Fair is a living cultural asset of the city of Basel. As the largest amusement fair in Switzerland and one of the largest inner-city fairs in Europe, it delights young and old alike.

#FolkyFriday 🧵
Aerial view of the Basler Herbstmesse, the historic Basel Autumn Fair, taking place in Münsterplatz, Switzerland. Crowds of visitors fill the cobblestone square surrounded by medieval buildings and the red sandstone Basel Minster with its colorful patterned roof tiles. In the foreground, a bright octopus-themed amusement ride spins with vivid colors of blue, yellow, and purple. Nearby stands a large red-and-yellow tented attraction and a traditional swing carousel. Autumn trees with golden leaves add warm tones to the festive scene under a cloudy sky, capturing the mix of history, culture, and celebration that defines this centuries-old Swiss fair.
October 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Animal Farm (originally Animal Farm: A Fairy Story) is a satirical allegorical dystopian novella, in the form of a beast fable,by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. It follows the anthropomorphic farm animals of the fictional Manor Farm

#BookWormSat 🧵
Book cover for Animal Farm by George Orwell, designed in a bold, propaganda-style artwork. At the top, two mirrored roosters face each other around the title "ANIMAL FARM." Below, a large windmill stands against a background of red rays spreading outward, resembling Soviet-era posters. In the foreground, a red pig walks on black ground. The author’s name, "George Orwell," is printed in yellow at the bottom, framed with decorative borders and stars in red and gold.
October 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Rautatie (Finnish for "railroad") is the first novel by the Finnish writer Juhani Aho, published in 1884. Its style has been called national miniature realism. The novel is about the quiet life of a couple living in the middle of the woods

#BookWormSat 🧵
he cover of the Finnish novel "Rautatie" (The Railroad) by Juhani Aho. The text on the cover reads: JUHANI AHO RAUTATIE eli kertomus ukosta ja akasta, jotka eivät olleet sitä ennen nähneet. (Porvoossa 1884. Werner Söderström, kustantaja.) This translates to: JUHANI AHO THE RAILROAD or a story about an old man and an old woman, who had never seen it before. (Porvoo 1884. Publisher: Werner Söderström.)
September 27, 2025 at 7:35 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Yew trees and hedges were frequently present in medieval churchyards, partly because of their supposed magical qualities in protecting the sanctuary of the church. The magical quality ascribed to hedges themselves is indicated by the fact that “hag”,referring to a witch-like figure,

#FolkyFriday 🧵
A yew tree growing next to a church. The tree seems to be surrounded by gravestones, creating an eerie and tranquil atmosphere. The architecture of the church is stone with a tall, pointed spire, giving it a classic medieval appearance. The combination of the church, tree, and gravestones suggests this might be a historic site, often associated with centuries-old religious or cultural traditions. Do you have any specific questions about
September 26, 2025 at 7:53 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Elder often grows in hedgerows, though farmers regard it as a nuisance and tend to grub it out. Elder flowers are a traditional remedy, but the wood was said to be unlucky – if used for a cradle, the child would become sick, while burning elder wood could summon the devil. 1/2

#FolkyFriday
A dense green elderberry bush (Sambucus nigra) in bloom, covered with clusters of small, creamy-white flowers against a backdrop of darker foliage.
September 26, 2025 at 7:34 AM
finnfolklorist.bsky.social
Hawthorn is the subject of endless superstitions – for instance the proverb “cleave to the crown though it hangs in a bush” is said to derive from hawthorn’s connection with the House of Tudor. After Richard III’s death at the Battle of Bosworth

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a branch of hawthorn with red berries
September 26, 2025 at 7:24 AM