What is kekri?

Satunnainen

Kekri is an old Finnish harvest festival, which is traditionally celebrated in autumn, after the harvest. Kekri has been one of the most important celebrations in Finnish folklore, and many different customs and beliefs have been associated with its celebration. Kekri has been celebrated especially in the countryside, and it has been a time to give thanks for the past year and prepare for the coming winter.

History of Kekri

Kekri’s roots go back to pre-Christian times, and it has been a significant celebration in Finnish agricultural society. Kekri has been celebrated in different parts of Finland at slightly different times, but generally it has taken place between October and November, after the end of the harvest. Kekri has also been a celebration of the change of the year, because before the current calendar, the year changed at the time of the kekri.

Kekrin Customs and Traditions

Kekri is associated with many traditions and customs that have varied from region to region. One of the most important ways has been abundant eating and festive meals, which have included, among other things, meat, fish, bread and beer. As Kekri, food and drink have also been offered to the deceased and the owners, so that they would protect the house and its inhabitants in the coming year.

  • Kekripukki: Kekripukki has been a figure circulating around the time of kekrik, who has resembled Santa Claus. Kkripukki could have been a scary figure who demanded hospitality and gifts from the household.
  • Saunamining: Saunamining has been an important part of the kekrik celebration. The sauna has been cleaned and prepared for winter. It has also been possible to make offerings to the dead in the sauna.
  • Foretelling: At the time of Kekri, various predictions have been made about the coming year. Predictions have been made, for example, by looking at how a candle flame burns or how a bread crust breaks.

Kekri Today

Although the consumption of kekri has decreased with modern times, it has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years. Many Finns have started to take an interest in old traditions and making kekri again. Today, Kekri is celebrated, for example, at various events and festivals, where old customs and traditions are brought to light.

You can read more information about kekri and its traditions, for example, on The National Museum’s website or Suomalainen Kirjakauppa website.

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