Finland's National Instrument: The Kantele [REACTION]

[@bigfinn1652]

Kantele is most often made from wood and are sometimes hollow to create a resonating chamber, like in an acoustic guitar, though those are usually the more modern, large concert kanteles. These stories about them being made entirely from animal parts are mostly mythological. Though certain parts were most certainly made from animal pieces, like strings were traditionally been made from animal hair, like horse hair etc. but the main body has likely been made from wood pretty much forever.

[@MQReacts]

@@bigfinn1652 Thank you for clarifying! I didn't know the majority of kanteles are made from wood… this was actually my first time learning about Kantele.

[@artokautiainen]

❤😊

[@MQReacts]

@@artokautiainen ❤️❤️

[@testi_kanava68]

During my own youth, in the craft class at school, the 6th grade made its own 5-string kantele. In the early 1970s

[@MQReacts]

@@testi_kanava68 What a wonderful memory! Crafting your own kantele in school must have been a unique experience… Experiences like that shape our appreciation for cultural heritage.

[@Steffendeerus]

Kantele is a beautiful instrument that has lost most of its appreciation. We had to play it in school and because it was forced I think most students disliked it. Many years later have I found the appreciation for the instrument and have considered even getting one at some point. The stories of Väinämöinen playing the kantele come from the Finnish national epic of Kalevala. Kalevala is a collection of stories gathered by Elias Lönnrot who went around Finland and Karelia listening to people tell folk stories and then compiled them in to the National epic. Fun fact J. R. R. Tolkien used the Kalevala as inspiration for his Lord of the Rings world and creation. He even wrote his own version of one of the stories from Kalevala. The story of Kullervo by Tolkien.

[@MQReacts]

@@Steffendeerus Beautifully said! Your journey from forced learning to genuine appreciation is inspiring… thanks for the comment

[@MikkoSimila]

I tried to play Kantele. I couldn't make a sound. Myths must be true then. Only wizard and witch can play Kantele.

[@MQReacts]

@@MikkoSimila lol.. wizardly skills not included with Kantele purchase, some Magic is required… Maybe you just need to channel your inner Väinämöinen 😂😂

[@toniheikkila5607]

Typos in previous comment, couldnt fix...

[@Idefixu]

Check this one: "Ida Elina - Evolution of Kantele" ( and how you play it, under 4 minutes )

[@MQReacts]

@@Idefixu grateful for the suggestion, I’ll definitely check it out ❤️

[@Finkele1]

Whole Kalevala is at best: weird. We actually back then, long ago, had to read Kalevala in school. Proper bullshit what i thought back then and i still do. But pretty much all nations and cultures have their own bullshit...

[@aarorissanen930]

What are you talking about? Kalevala is cool as fuck, and a national mythos we Finns should be proud of.

[@Finkele1]

@@aarorissanen930 objectively it's as bullshit as any mythic stuff. Have you really read the book?

[@Finkele1]

@@aarorissanen930 and other mythic books have affected each other...except world beginning. Sotkan muna, mieti, se ei aninakaan ole se oikea haha

[@Finkele1]

typos

[@MQReacts]

@@Finkele1 I understand that Kalevala might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's fascinating to hear your perspective…. And well, 'bullshit' is one way to describe epic poetry. Did you have a favorite (or least favorite) part?

[@Finkele1]

Pls don't let usa ppl find Kalevala. They would totally use it, or it would be black magic or something...pffff

[@MQReacts]

@@Finkele1 Lol, can imagine the Hollywood adaptation... 'Kalevala: The Magical Action Movie’. But on a serious note, .⁠ ⁠What do you think specifically about Kalevala would be misrepresented or exploited?

[@kentsoderstrom8378]

Tolkien already found Kalevala. The Middle-Earth in Lord of the Rings is based on Finland and especially finnish folklores in Kalevala. The language of the Elves are also based on Finnish. Uses the same suffix-style. Many characters in LoTR are almost one to one implemented from the Kalevala.