Woinomoinen. from the Finnish
Woinomoinen is a character from Finnish mythology who appears in the Kalevala epic poem. He is depicted as a powerful wizard and shaman, capable of performing feats such as creating new landmasses and controlling the weather. In George Borrow's book, Woinomoinen plays a central role in several stories, including one where he battles against the evil witch Louhi.
By George Borrow · First published 1845 · Genre: Mythology, Poetry, Fantasy · 459 words
First lines
Woinomoinen was, according to the Mythology of the ancient Finns, the second Godhead, being only inferior to Jumala. He was master of the musical art, and when he played upon his instrument produced much the same effect as the Grecian Orpheus, enticing fishes from the stream and the wild animals from the forest. The lines here translated are a fragment of a poem which describes a musical contest between Woinomoinen and the Giant Joukkawainen, in which the latter was signally defeated.
Then the ancient Woinomoinen, On the bench himself he seated, Took the harp betwixt his fingers, On his knee about he turn'd it, In his hand he fitly plac'd it.
What this Textopian page supports
Woinomoinen. from the Finnish is listed on Textopian as a short story by George Borrow, dated 1845 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1845 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Poetry, Fantasy, Folklore, Epic
- Length: 459 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Woinomoinen. from the Finnish by George Borrow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Woinomoinen. from the Finnish?
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Genres
- Mythology — The text is based on Finnish mythology, focusing on the character Woinomoinen, a mythological figure.
- Poetry — The work is a poetic fragment, featuring structured verses and a lyrical style.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as magical music and mythical creatures.
- Folklore — The story draws from traditional Finnish folklore, depicting cultural myths and legends.
Tags
Finnish folklore · epic poetry · mythology · narrative · cultural heritage · literary translation · oral tradition · heroic tales · nature · spirituality · adventure · legend