# Rune XXXII: Kullervo as a Shepherd explained — The Kalevala

> Chapter companion for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxxii-kullervo-as-a-shepherd
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters