Hämmäi Bag
According to the Kivans, a person who dies must travel through the woods to the Otherworld beyond the furthest tree. The entrance to this land is guarded by the Lord of the Dead, Hävaihämmäi, who demands a fee for entering. This could be gold coins, a freshly baked pastry, or a nicely carved piece of wood. When a person dies, their loved ones cremate them with such a gift so that they can take it with them and be admitted into the afterlife.
But sometimes, people die unexpectedly. Bodies can't always be recovered and there isn't always time to give every soldier in battle a proper funeral. For this reason, many Kivan people travel prepared. A hämmäi bag is a small black bag that contains a potential gift. They might put a few coins in, or weave a colourful bracelet to carry around, or fill it with a carved stone. The little pouch hangs from a person's belt.
Kivan people usually carry one whenever they leave the village, and especially when soldiers go into battle. Only the most callous of pickpockets would ever steal a person's hämmäi bag, because it might mean condemning the person's soul to eternal restlessness if they die without a gift.
But sometimes, people die unexpectedly. Bodies can't always be recovered and there isn't always time to give every soldier in battle a proper funeral. For this reason, many Kivan people travel prepared. A hämmäi bag is a small black bag that contains a potential gift. They might put a few coins in, or weave a colourful bracelet to carry around, or fill it with a carved stone. The little pouch hangs from a person's belt.
Kivan people usually carry one whenever they leave the village, and especially when soldiers go into battle. Only the most callous of pickpockets would ever steal a person's hämmäi bag, because it might mean condemning the person's soul to eternal restlessness if they die without a gift.
