The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune XLII: Capture of the Sampo explained
Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen journey to Pohyola to seize the Sampo.
What happens
Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen journey to Pohyola to seize the Sampo. Louhi refuses to share it, so Wainamoinen uses his harp to put the Northland people to sleep. Lemminkainen loosens the Sampo by plowing its roots with a mighty ox, and the heroes carry it to their ship. As they sail home, Lemminkainen's discordant singing awakens a crane, which alerts Louhi. She raises a storm and sends Iku-Turso to attack, but Wainamoinen subdues the monster. Ukko then sends violent winds that tear the magic harp from the ship into the sea. Despite the loss, Wainamoinen repairs the vessel and steers safely through the perils.
Themes in this chapter
Power of Song and Magic
Wainamoinen's harp puts the Northlanders to sleep and later is lost to the sea; Lemminkainen's singing awakens a crane, triggering Louhi's attack.
Conflict Between North and South
The heroes from Kalevala journey to Pohyola to seize the Sampo, leading to a direct confrontation with Louhi and her forces.
Craftsmanship and Creation
The Sampo is a crafted treasure; Ilmarinen's skill as a blacksmith is implied in opening the mountain locks.
Characters to notice
- Wainamoinen
Leads the expedition, uses magic harp to enchant the Northlanders, steers the ship, and subdues Iku-Turso.
- Ilmarinen
Rows the war-ship, anoints the locks to open the mountain, and laments the dangers of the voyage.
- Lemminkainen
Rows the war-ship, enters the mountain to retrieve the Sampo, plows its roots with an ox, and sings discordantly, awakening a crane that alerts Louhi.
- Louhi
Hostess of Pohyola, refuses to share the Sampo, raises a storm and sends Iku-Turso to attack the heroes.
- Ahto
King of the sea-waves; his people carry off the magic harp after it falls into the water.
- Iku-Turso
Sea-monster sent by Louhi to attack the ship; captured and released by Wainamoinen, never to rise again.
Key passages
“Wainamoinen, old and truthful, With the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, With the reckless son of Lempo, Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, On the sea's smooth plain departed...”
Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen set sail across the calm sea toward the cold, dreary Northland.
Opening of the chapter; the heroes embark on their quest for the Sampo.
“Louhi, hostess of the Northland, Thus addressed the stranger-heroes: 'Magic heroes of Wainola, What the tidings ye are bringing To the people of my village?'”
Louhi asks the heroes what news they bring to Pohyola.
Louhi confronts the heroes upon their arrival.
“Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Gave this answer to the hostess: 'All the hosts of Kalevala Are inquiring for the Sampo, Asking for the lid in colors; Hither have these heroes journeyed To divide the priceless treasure.'”
Wainamoinen tells Louhi they have come to claim a share of the Sampo.
Wainamoinen states their purpose.
“Thus the hostess spake in answer: 'No one would divide a partridge, Nor a squirrel, with three heroes; Wonderful the magic Sampo, Plenty does it bring to Northland...'”
Louhi refuses to share the Sampo, comparing it to a partridge or squirrel that one would not divide among three.
Louhi's refusal sets the stage for conflict.
“Wainamoinen, wise and ancient, Hastened to his harp of fish-bone, And began his magic playing; All of Pohya stopped and listened, Every warrior was silenced By the notes of the magician...”
Wainamoinen plays his fish-bone harp, enchanting all of Pohyola into silence and then sleep.
Wainamoinen uses his harp to incapacitate the Northlanders.
“Lemminkainen finds the wonder, Finds the Sampo in the mountain, Labors long with strength heroic, Tugs with might and main to turn it; Motionless remains the treasure, Deeper sinks the lid in colors, For the roots have grown about it, Grown nine fathoms deep in sand-earth.”
Lemminkainen discovers the Sampo in the mountain but cannot move it because roots have grown nine fathoms deep around it.
The Sampo is firmly rooted in the earth.
