The Cooperative Spirit of Nature in the Kalevala Creation Myth: An Argument for Modern Animism

Christina M. Gant ()
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Christina M. Gant: English Department, St. Charles Community College, Cottleville, MO 63376, USA

Challenges, 2022, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: The Finnish Kalevala epic contains a world-creation myth that exemplifies the essential cooperation between humans and the nature spirits that inhabit the land. These stories not only reflect the culture’s animistic worldview, they also contain a remarkable awareness of how humans depend on the wisdom of nature to survive and illustrate how that coexistence benefits both humans and nature—a perspective that can be increasingly valuable in the modern era.

Keywords: Kalevala; nature; world mythology; creation myth; literature; animism; Finland; folklore; environment; religious naturalism; relational ontology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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