The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd explained
Kullervo, the purchased slave of Ilmarinen, is made a shepherd by Ilmarinen's wife, who bakes him a loaf with a flint-stone inside.
What happens
Kullervo, the purchased slave of Ilmarinen, is made a shepherd by Ilmarinen's wife, who bakes him a loaf with a flint-stone inside. She sends him to herd the cattle, giving instructions and invoking protection from various spirits and deities. Kullervo is left to guard the herd in the forest.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Kinship
Kullervo's status as a purchased slave contrasts with the family of Ilmarinen, highlighting themes of servitude and mistreatment.
Nature and the Landscape
Extensive descriptions of forest pastures, birch-trees, aspens, and the natural environment as the setting for herding.
Conflict Between North and South
References to Northland and Lapland in the context of the bear's potential roaming grounds.
Characters to notice
- Kullervo
Purchased slave of Ilmarinen, made a shepherd by the hostess.
- Ilmarinen
Blacksmith and master of Kullervo, mentioned as the host.
- Ukko
Invoked as the omnipresent protector of the herd.
- Otso
The forest bear addressed in a treaty to spare the cattle.
- Tapio
Mentioned as the ruler of the forest, with his daughter invoked.
- Tellervo
Mountain-maid and daughter of Tapio, invoked to protect the herd.
- Tuoni
Referenced in the context of Tuoni's empire and the river of Tuoni.
- Mana
Mentioned as Manala, where milk might be wasted.
Key passages
“Kullerwoinen, wizard-servant Of the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, Purchased slave from Untamoinen, Magic son with sky-blue stockings, With a head of golden ringlets, In his shoes of marten-leather”
Kullervo, a magical youth with distinctive blue stockings and golden hair, is bought as a slave by Ilmarinen from Untamoinen.
Introduces Kullervo's appearance and status as a purchased servant.
“Baked a biscuit for the herdsman, Baked a loaf of wondrous thickness, Baked the lower-half of oat-meal, And the upper-half of barley, Baked a flint-stone in the centre, Poured around it liquid butter”
The hostess baked a thick loaf with a flint-stone hidden inside, coated with butter, as food for the shepherd.
Illustrates the hostess's malicious intent toward Kullervo.
“Thou, O Otso, forest-apple, Woodland bear, with honeyed fingers, Let us make a lasting treaty, Make a vow for future ages, That thou wilt not kill my cattle”
The speaker addresses the bear Otso, proposing a pact that the bear will not harm the herd.
Shows the ritualistic appeal to the bear spirit for protection of the cattle.