Day 43 - Connecting to My Roots

Today we started off with our wonderful teacher Maret. When we walked into the room she was dressed in the most beautiful Seto Folk Costume. I was in owe of her and the way that she presented herself. When we arrived in the room we sat down and she started speaking about the work that she was doing with us, and about herself and how she fit into the community. It was a great privilege to watch her start to sing Leelo music, which is a traditional form of singing in this region of Estonia, and we found out that she is the best at what she does, very well respected in the community for this type of singing. I was absolutely amazed and listening to this singing, and chanting, it almost took me to a place where I feel like I've been before but I haven't really visited. It was beautiful listening to this music and just the same was an effortless way that they were able to sing together and create such a beautiful sound that was so connecting. I was very grateful that she was doing this for us and giving us a bit of a snapshot into their way of life here and the customs and traditions that are part of this community.

Once we had listen to some introductions and understood what we were doing they started to demonstrate how to do some weaving. Today we were learning how to do card weaving. Our leader, Kuuli, explained to me that this was a really simple form of waving and she wasn't wrong. They started to explain the principles of how to set up the cards and how to do the waving and we felt it was important that they demonstrate it for us, before we started to attempt it. So altogether we started to develop an understanding of the patterns and how we were supposed to position the wall in the cards so that when we got to making it we're able to weave it properly and have it look good. She was explaining what the backwards slash and the/ means on the cards and how we had to understand the numbers down the sides and the numbers across the top. Once we develop this understanding some drew some images to figure this out she started to measure the wall so that we could thread and warp the cards to start doing the weaving. You had to make sure that you put the wool in very particular holes and have them all numbered so that when you go to set up the weaving part everything is in the right spot so you get the desired pattern that you set out to do.
 
Once I had warped my cards, I was watching how they helped mum put her cards together and so I did the same thing. As I was putting the cards together I had discovered that I had one card that was the wrong positions I had to take that one out and do it again. Thankfully I did not have to redo the entire thing and I was able to figure it out. Once I got myself set up and sorted and ready I asked for help to start the weaving process and then I was off. I have to admit it was a lot easier than the pickup belt weaving that I had done a few weeks ago. The only difference is that these belts or whatever it was that I was making, will not be the traditional belt that you see on folk costumes better much smaller thing, which could be used to make key chains or other small items. I found the process of the waving quite therapeutic and I really enjoyed the fact that you could quickly see something being produced, rather than having to wait for an extended period of time to see your item come to life. There was this most incredible moment where Maret came and sat down with me and she got me to do the living part, putting it through the gate each time, and she was doing the turning of the cards. We did this for about 15 minutes with a somewhat broken conversation in Estonian, but it really made me feel so nurtured in this process and connected to my great grandmother. This was a very special moment for me and I was so grateful that she wanted to sit there with me and do this waving, because I feel like this is something that I may have done with my great grandmother had she been around. It was even more special to me because this is where my great grandmother was from, and I was waving a belt that was from a specific area that she was born in, Petseri. I can't even put into words how to describe this moment with her waving this belt together come on it was absolutely so special for me and i think i will remember this for a very long time and take it with me wherever i go. There is something very special about sharing in the handicraft traditions between generations and I think when it happens and you can nurture it, it should not be taken for granted and it should definitely be something to be cherished and valued, learning from previous generations and how to do these centuries old crafts. I really look forward to being able to continue this belt and having it is a very special keepsake that came from this memory.

​After lunch we started learning how to do Seto embroidery. At first I was really excited and thought that I could do this and part of it was learning how to read the patterns. Our teacher again, was dressed in some beautiful Seto Folk Costumes, and I really admired the detailing on her slaves and the braided headpiece that she had on that went down almost to her legs. It was beautiful and it is for married women, and it matched the apron that I had just purchased. Part of me really wanted to buy it but I thought I need to be a bit more sensible and wait maybe till next year and see if I still want it. I did however organise with someone to purchase the sleeves for folk costumes so that we could have two sets or I can have my own set. Now, we were doing the embroidery I started off well and having an understanding for the pattern was doing, and where i needed to do my diagonal stitch, but when the pattern started getting really complicated and further along I started losing my place and I could not figure out where to put the next thread. I wasn't getting frustrated or upset, but more just a bit disheartened at how difficult embroidery was, but also developed an appreciation and gratitude for those that do embroidery, especially on very fine linen and threads. The patterns themselves looked absolutely beautiful and were based on Setomaa designs, and I imagine they would look absolutely stunning if I was able to finish one. I did however, when I was in Setomaa a few weeks ago, buy the book that they were using for the patterns so who knows what will come with that.

​After we finished handicrafts for the day we went back to the hotel main building, and sorted ourselves out for dinner. It was really nice being able to sit with a number of the other ladies that were doing this handicraft thing, and enjoy a meal but also I liked that we sat and talked for some time after the meal. It's a really nice way of connecting and learning about other peoples stories and how they save the world. It really occurred to me how much I enjoy hearing about how other people live in other countries, and their stories, and how it shapes people to be who they are in each moment.
Until tomorrow,
Marissa xx