looduskalender.ee

Tammemäe grove

 

Maavalla koda (the organization of native Estonians) is asking for proposals for giving out the honorary title Friend of Groves, to recognize the good keepers of sacred groves and other historic natural sacred places.

 

By public acknowledgement of commendable people and events we wish to show good example also to others. Historic kind customs can be followed in the management, protection and usage of natural sacred places, thereby helping to preserve the spiritual and physical heritage and the environment connected with sacred places. By preserving sacred groves, we are preserving the deepest sources of our people`s vitality.

 

Any person, organisation, company or institution, whose systematic actions have helped to preserve sacred groves or improve their situation this year or during earlier years can become the Friend of Groves.

 

Any person or legal entity can make a proposition for the honorary name of the Friend of Groves. The proposal must include the name of the friend of groves, description of commendable activities and as accurate data about the location as possible, also the submitter`s name, phone number and (e-)mail address.

Proposals should be sent before October 31st to Maavalla koda:

koda@maavald.ee

or Maavalla koda, PO box 136 Tartu 51002.

 

The panel evaluates the submitted information and chooses this year`s receiver of the honorary name the Friend of Groves. The Friend of Groves will be ceremonially announced on November 23rd at the Sacred Grove power recognition event in Tartu.

 

Earlier Friends of Groves include Martin Kivisoo, who is the keeper of sacred places in Muhu island, keepers of Paluküla Hiiemägi - Arvi Sepp, Lembi Välli and Toivi Sepp, keeper of Lehmja oak wood sacred grove Mari-Ann Remmel, keeper of Maardu sacred grove forest Jaanus Hiis and the keeper of cross-trees Marju Kõivupuu. Minni Saapar has been recognized as a young friend of groves who, as a student, mapped the sacred places in Pihtla parish in Saaremaa.

 

A historic natural sacred place is a specific place or area in nature, which has corresponding spiritual heritage. The term includes sacred groves, sacred stones, springs and trees, which have been known to be taken into use before the 20th century, and also newer cross-trees which are linked with historic burial customs. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) natural sacred places are the oldest conservation areas of mankind – places where native people have protected the nature for hundreds and thousands of years according to their customs. There are about 2500 known historic natural places and less than one fifth of them are nationally protected as archaelogical or natural monuments. Currently there are no sacred places as such under protection in Estonia.

 

The recognition of the Friend of Groves takes place with the cooperation of University of Tartu and Hiite Maja Foundation.

 

Further information: tel 56686892

koda[at]maavald.ee

 

See more:

 

The Friend of Grove:

http://www.maavald.ee/maausk.html?rubriik=20&id=4834&op=lugu

 

Examples of natural sacred places:

http://www.maavald.ee/maausk.html?rubriik=20&id=435&op=lugu

 

Kind customs in a sacred place:

http://www.maavald.ee/maausk.html?rubriik=20&id=606&op=lugu

 

IUCN guidelines for managing natural sacred places:

http://www.maavald.ee/failid/IUCN_SNS_Estonia.pdf

 

Kaja Toikka

Keeper of Maavalla koda