The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune II: Wainamoinen's Sowing explained
Wainamoinen, having arrived on a barren island, enlists Pellerwoinen (Sampsa) to sow seeds across the land, resulting in a lush forest except for the oak tree.
What happens
Wainamoinen, having arrived on a barren island, enlists Pellerwoinen (Sampsa) to sow seeds across the land, resulting in a lush forest except for the oak tree. After a giant from the ocean, Tursas, helps create the oak from an acorn in ashes, it grows so large it blocks the sun and moon. A tiny sea-hero transforms into a giant and fells the oak, restoring light. Wainamoinen then clears the forest (leaving a birch for birds), sows barley with divine aid from Ukko, and the crop flourishes.
Themes in this chapter
Creation and Origins
The chapter depicts the sowing of the island's forest and barley, the emergence of the great oak, and the establishment of a fertile landscape, all acts of creation.
Nature and the Landscape
Detailed descriptions of tree planting, forest growth, the oak's dominance, and the barley field highlight the deep connection between the heroes and the natural world.
Craftsmanship and Creation
Wainamoinen's careful sowing, the giant's axe work, and the making of enchanted arrows from oak chips emphasize skilled labor and magical creation.
Characters to notice
- Wainamoinen
The ancient hero who sows the island, orchestrates the felling of the great oak, and plants barley with the help of Ukko.
- Pellerwoinen
Also called Sampsa, the slender boy who sows the forest seeds across the island at Wainamoinen's request.
- Ukko
The god of the heavens who sends rain clouds to nourish Wainamoinen's barley crop.
- Iku-Turso
Referred to as Mighty Tursas, the giant from the ocean who compresses the grasses and plants the acorn that grows into the great oak.
- Ilmatar
Invoked as Luonnotar, the ancient mother and nurse, from whom Wainamoinen seeks water-forces to fell the oak.
Key passages
“Then arose old Wainamoinen, With his feet upon the island, On the island washed by ocean, Broad expanse devoid of verdure; There remained he many summers, There he lived as many winters, On the island vast and vacant, Well considered, long reflected, Who for him should sow the island, Who for him the seeds should scatter; Thought at last of Pellerwoinen, First-born of the plains and prairies, When a slender boy, called Sampsa, Who should sow the vacant island, Who the forest seeds should scatter.”
Old Wainamoinen stood on a barren ocean island and lived there for years, pondering who should plant the land. He finally thought of Pellerwoinen, also known as the slender boy Sampsa, to sow the forest seeds.
Introduces the need for a sower and the choice of Pellerwoinen.
“In the ashes of the windrows, Tender leaves the giant places, In the leaves he plants an acorn, From the acorn, quickly sprouting, Grows the oak-tree, tall and stately, From the ground enriched by ashes, Newly raked by water-maidens; Spread the oak-tree's many branches, Rounds itself a broad corona, Raises it above the storm-clouds; Far it stretches out its branches, Stops the white-clouds in their courses, With its branches hides the sunlight, With its many leaves, the moonbeams, And the starlight dies in heaven.”
The giant placed leaves and an acorn in the ashes of the burned grasses, and from it grew a massive oak that blocked the sun, moon, and stars with its branches.
Describes the miraculous growth of the oak and its cosmic obstruction.
“Scarcely had he finished speaking, Scarcely had he moved his eyelids, Ere the pygmy full unfolding, Quick becomes a mighty giant. With one step he leaves the ocean, Plants himself, a mighty hero, On the forest-fields surrounding; With his head the clouds he pierces, To his knees his beard extending, And his locks fall to his ankles;”
No sooner had Wainamoinen spoken than the tiny sea-hero transformed into a colossal giant, stepping from the ocean with his head in the clouds and his beard reaching his knees.
Highlights the magical transformation of the pygmy into a giant capable of felling the oak.
