The great bear1994
a thematic anthology of oral poetry in the Finno-Ugrian languages
by Lauri Honko
These 450 poems, songs, charms, prayers and laments in the original languages and in English convey the worldview and an insight into the lives of pre-literate peoples in various stages of cultural and social development. The texts illustrate the beliefs, perceptions and artistic genius of fifteen peoples scattered across Northern Europe from Scandinavia, deep into Russia and beyond the Urals, and of the Hungarians in Central Europe.
The contents are arranged by theme to illustrate the evolving phase of man's symbiosis with the natural and spiritual world. Each section is introduced by a specialist essay. Detailed commentaries illuminate the context of each poem and explain the significance of specific local features.
In reading this poetry, we begin to grasp the frailty of human life in...