Kihnu island in Estonia maintains a unique culture, blending ancient traditions with modernity. It is characterized by its matrifocal tradition, where women assume leadership roles while ensuring cultural preservation. Historically, men spent time at sea, allowing women to become heads of families and custodians of heritage. Mare Matas, a local guide, emphasizes that while equality exists, women on the island are respected as wise elders and perform various vital community roles, from lighthouse keepers to cultural educators. Traditional music and practices are actively preserved through generations, highlighting the island's distinctive identity.
On Kihnu, women have taken on significant roles, from lighthouse keepers to priests, actively shaping the community's cultural landscape and preserving its traditions.
Kihnu's culture, described as matrifocal, emphasizes equality, with older women regarded as wise elders who tend to the land and care for the community's heritage.
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