My Culture
"Old Tree Customes in Finland (Part 1) by K. Peltola's Special Class"
by Kantokaskelaiset

Clay Gifts for the Pine Tree

My culture and traditions During this spring time we have visited in the wood near to our school. We have there one pine tree for sacrifice like old Finnish people. Children have made gifts from clay for the tree, aeolian wind harps. Before first of May, they made clay things of sorrow, joy and hope and took them for the tree. In Maundy Thursday we walk to this tree and drive away bad spirits with decorated branches. We have many photos of this all. Photo 1: Before Easter we did drive away the bad spirit Kiira with decorated branches. Photo 2: Finally we took the branches to our own holy tree. Photo 3: Children's clay gifts full of thoughts of sorrow, joy and hope. Photo 4: Everyone put his gifts around the pine tree. This is how we celebrate our culture Many schools still like to celebrate our old Finnish Customs