About Female Deities in the Mythology of Finno-Ugric Peoples Cover Image

Naisjumalatest soome-ugri rahvaste mütoloogias
About Female Deities in the Mythology of Finno-Ugric Peoples

Author(s): Nina Yurchenkova
Subject(s): Anthropology
Published by: Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum
Keywords: female deity; fertility goddess; Finno-Ugric mythology; Mother Earth

Summary/Abstract: The most widespread female deity in world mythologies is the Goddess of the Earth, known among Finno-Ugric peoples as Mother Earth. Research presumes that the cult of Mother Earth is relatively recent in origin, and somewhat associated with and related to the development of agriculture. Still, the religion of Finno-Ugric peoples comprises abundant other female deities whose help and assistance women can account for when in need. Moreover, among those Finno-Ugric peoples whose tillage culture is less developed, the goddess of the Earth can sometimes obtain even cosmogonic functions. The article gives an overview of Finno-Ugric female deities, their functions and the ways to sustain the favour of gods.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 47
  • Page Range: 119-124
  • Page Count: 6
  • Language: Estonian