The diversity (and protection) of Estonian sacred natural sites in the context of contemporary...

7/29/2019 The diversity (and protection) of Estonian sacred natural sites in the context of contemporary governing - Auli Ktt

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The diversity (and protection) ofEstonian sacred natural sites

in the context of

contemporary governing

Presentation for conference

PROTECTING THE SACRED

Rovaniemi & Pyh, Finland, 11-13 September 2013

Auli Ktt

Researcher and custodian of sacred sites


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Contents

Approximate time span

Diversity: typologies by name, type, usage,and purpose

Behaviour: rules of conduct

Hotspots: places of confrontation

Case studies of Kunda, Palukla, and Purtse

grove hills Conclusions


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Approximate time span

XIX century - use, folklore approx 1850-1960

People admit grandparents usage of sitesrather than their own

Many traditions still alive (esp. springs,healing stones, sacred groves being visited)


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Diversity of sacred sites by name

(h)iis, (h)iie-

pha(-) (sacred)

ohvri- (sacrificial)

significant place with a proper name


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Diversity of sacred sites by type

natural sites:

hills and hillocks

groves, trees, bushes

stones

springs, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds

artificial / man-made:

sacred / sacrificial gardens, corners

+ almost any combinations of all above


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Diversity of sacred sites by usage

Places used and visited by

county or counties (groves, grove hills)

several villages (groves, grove hills)

mostly one village (groves, stones, springs)

1-2 families (stones, sacr. gardens)


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Diversity of sacred sites by purpose

Places used for

healing (stones, springs)

gathering (hiis, hills)

praying (trees)

celebrating holidays (hills)

discussions (historical)

burials (historical, ?) sacrifices (historical, ?)

thinking, taking some time off


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Expressed rules of conduct

Taboos (not to do)

cutting trees (cutting twigs, bark)

picking up wood (?, complicated)

plowing (esp. after partial destruction)

mowing (?, complicated)

(sitting on a grave)

...


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Some hotspots

Palukla grove hill vs sports centre (2003-)

Kunda grove hill vs wind turbines (2003-2007)

Purtse grove hill vs real estate dev. (2006)

Panga pank (cliff) vs parking lot

Maardu grove vs forestry (2012)


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Kunda hiiemgi


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Kunda hiiemgi

Sacred grove hill [about]

1.7 x 0.4 km, up to 15 m high

Under heritage protection

During Soviet era used partly as gravel-pit andfields

No forest
http://www.maavald.ee/kunda.html?rubriik=76&id=621&op=lugu


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Kunda hiiemgi

2003 - inspection of the hill by Maavalla Koda [*], discovery of 1

certain (half destroyed) and several probable burials

2004 - emergency excavation on the collapsing burial [*]

Turned out to be 2400+ years old (2000+ expected) [*]Archaeologists plan to continue and reconstruct, find finances

for 2005, 2006, looking in private sector

2005 - Estonian Wind Energy Association proposes wind turbines

on the hill [*]; archaeological expertise approves becausevibration does not endanger the burials.

Maavalla Koda proposes conservation plan for the grove hill,

starts media campaign against the development.
http://www.maavald.ee/kunda.html?rubriik=76&id=597&op=luguhttp://www.maavald.ee/kunda.html?rubriik=76&id=591&op=luguhttp://wwx.virumaateataja.ee/070904/esileht/15019562.phphttp://wwx.virumaateataja.ee/170804/esileht/uudised/15019195.phphttp://www.maavald.ee/kunda.html?rubriik=76&id=597&op=lugu


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Kunda hiiemgi

2006 - Maavalla Koda goes to court against Kunda city and the

Association.

3 stages: Tartu Halduskohus, Tartu Ringkonnakohus, Riigikohus

2007 - Koda wins in Supreme Court, no turbines

2009 - events, community prayers on Kunda grove hill

I

County

Court

II

Circuit

Court

III

Supreme

Court


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Palukla hiiemgi


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Palukla hiiemgi

Sacred grove hill

Highest peak of Harjumaa county,

Part of Knnumaa landscape protection area

rare Tnniauk - hole for offerings to a deity

protected species Formica polyctena -European red wood ant

19th century - part of the hill used as fieldsand pastures


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Palukla hiiemgi

2003 - Local government planning sports and recreation centre

on the hill. Ski bridge built, slopes bulldozed, trees cut down.

Development plan: several buildings, ski lifts, tennis courts,

football stadium.

- Palukla Sacred Grove Hill Custodian Society contacts Maavalla

Koda for help.

2004 - Appellations from folklorists, environmentalists to

preserve the hill. Env.min and cult.min support the idea of

protecting sacred sites, but admit the shortfalls of legislation.

Right to the sacred grove is a human right.

- EPL editorial, 09.11.2004
http://www.epl.ee/news/arvamus/repliik-oigus-hiiemaele-on-inimese-pohioigus.d?id=50996901http://www.epl.ee/news/arvamus/repliik-oigus-hiiemaele-on-inimese-pohioigus.d?id=50996901http://www.maavald.ee/maausk.html?rubriik=45&id=343&op=lugu


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Palukla hiiemgi

2004 - 2007 Palukla Sacred Grove Hill Custodian Society files a

claim, development is suspended. Media attention.

I Kehtna gov. gets the right to continue development.

II Development plan: part of buildings nulled, but green light tosports centre.

The question is in European court for human rights


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Purtse hiiemgi


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Purtse hiiemgi

Sacred grove hill

Real estate development plan for 50 houses

Strong opposition from local people [*]

Local government backs the people [*]
http://www.epl.ee/news/eesti/purtse-rahvas-protesteerib-hiiemae-veerde-eramute-rajamise-vastu.d?id=51037361http://www.maavald.ee/press.html?rubriik=24&id=1541&op=luguhttp://www.epl.ee/news/eesti/purtse-rahvas-protesteerib-hiiemae-veerde-eramute-rajamise-vastu.d?id=51037361


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Problematic: legislation

Archaeology: no rationale to opposedevelopments if no direct danger to object

Conservation: no more protection if objectperished


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Proposed changes to legislation (EST 2012)

Forbidden, unless explicitly allowed [*]:

Use of motor vehicles and sound amplification

Competitions, mobs/gatherings (except forfollowing historical religious traditions)

Fishing, hunting, and gathering

Earthworks

Roads, trenches, and networks dev. Revealing the location in public media if possibly

endangering the site
http://hiis.ee/files/Pyhapaikadeeeln6u_251102.pdf


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Problematic: activism

Needs: know-how, skills, time, finances, courage,persistence

Indigenous in Estonia - more about mindsetthan a distinct demographic group

Courage to act against government and/orprevalent economical/community values

Protecting sacred sites needs people who care Developers are not interested in changing their

plans


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Protecting the sites

Community integration & blending. Trust

Sacred sites: public / hidden / safeguarded

Standing for your values with respectful

persistence

Community - government co-operation

Alternative economy solutions

Networks: sharing support and experience Personal augmentation

Sharing stories


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Thank you!

auli(at)sacredgroves.info

wiki.sacredgroves.info

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