FANTASY COINS

Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde was rooted centuries ago. A wealthy landowner (his name possibly lost through the span of time) took the usual step to marriage. A marriage had significant political bearing as the couple could combine their power to become elevated in their position. The share of wealth each brought to the marriage was designed to increase wealth for both families.

The land baron’s wife, in her portfolio, had a 43 square mile island that was deemed virtually worthless. It was considered too poor for farming and had always been uninhabited, it was thought. The land baron had, among his tenants, several less desirable families. To note, they were not very good at farming the land, seemed to not hold much loyalty toward the landowner and collecting his percentage of crops was always a chore. Knowing he could not easily shuffle these folks on to a nearby landowner, he devised a plan to rid his property of the least desirable and most troublesome tenants.

The couple, convinced the island must have some value if it could be worked, decided to offer larger tracts of land at a very low rent to these less desirable families. The thinking was transporting them to the island was a good investment that would pay off in additional power and wealth in the decades to come.

It did not take much to sell the families on this island. They were eager for the better farmers to take their plot while they would get a much larger piece of land on the island. As the families were convinced, a small crew was sent to the island to survey it and figure the parcels. Some feel the crew went only by a map, not the actual island in dividing the land. For certain, this group knew nothing of farming. Some of the island was never surveyed and was, thus considered public land. After the crew returned, the families were ready to strike out for their new home.

The families, numbering around 75, suffered stormy seas, but arrived at the island in the late summer

Once on the islands, the families sought out their lands and quickly discovered some received better land than others. Disputes arose but were settled once it was learned the land was so poor in quality, most crops grown from the seeds that were transported with their possessions, failed to produce. People searched for any edible foods and quickly discovered various wild berries growing in considerable quantity. A bee hive was discovered and some of the honey was harvested. The first year was not easy with nearly half of the group dying before the following summer concluded. Luckily, the animals had birthed during this time and some land was found to be good for farming. The problem was a lack of seed. This lack of seed is remembered in their coins as we shall discover.

To pay for their passage, the landowner was to send collectors each year to gather the rent. The islanders were pretty angry with the landowner, feeling they had been duped into moving to the island. The deaths of neighbors and family members was fresh on their mind. It would have been likely they would have killed those sent to collect. By some twist of fate, the collectors did not arrive. Nobody can say for sure, but one old story says the landowner became ill and died before sending the collectors out for the first payment.

After a few years, some believe it was five years, a ship arrived claiming to being sent by the landowner’s wife, to collect the share of rent. Those in the party demanded several years worth of payment which they could not afford. Several of this group were killed and a few asked to live among the islanders, apparently smitten by some of the young ladies. The islanders do not know if any of the collectors ever returned but this was the only time the islanders were asked to pay rent.

One has to review the life of the rural Scandinavian of the past to get a feel for life on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde. As the years passed, a pastoral life of raising animals and growing crops prevailed. Land disputes had been handled and all the families had a fairly equal shot at providing for their family.

As is typical in earlier times, animals, mostly cows, goats and sheep are raised. Crops are planted to provide food for the animals and family. The land is void of fencing which permit’s the animals to go where they want. To solve the wandering animal problem, each family composed their own wordless song the animals learned. Since food usually followed, the animals, even if out of sight, would come to the person singing the song the animals knew. You might ask why they sang instead of just calling the animals home. It is factual that singing loudly travels further than spoken word.

This type of singing is called ‘kulning’. It is still preserved today, not only on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde.

Because there were no fences, animals could easily trample or eat crops raised during the short growing season, so sending the cattle off to a summer pasture was wise. Each summer, the young girls of a family would take their animals to the more rugged portion of the island where each family has a certain section of land. The cattle were grazed here in the warmer months. Once the crops were harvested, the young girls and the animals returned.

‘Kulning’ was especially important in the remote summer pastures. Wild animals were always a threat and the limited sight meant animals could easily get lost. The singing kept animals nearby and predators far enough away. Still, in the summer pastures, just like at the homestead, problems arose. This style of singing was a version of the telephone. There were uniform ‘calls’ that were used to indicate when an animal had been lost or when a person needed help. Not only the animals knew the family songs but the people did as well. As was the custom, a visitor or someone passing across your land, would announce their presence by ‘kulning’.

While ‘kulning’ was primarily done by women and girls, the men also would sing when the need arose.
‘Kulning’ is still practiced today as well as the pastoral lifestyle. It might be said time left Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde behind long ago. Life on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde is virtually unchanged from centuries ago.

Geographically, Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde is 43 square miles. The southern part of the island tends to be lower in elevation while the northern region is made up of more defined hills and valleys. The center of the island, considered rolling hills, is generally best for farming and like the middle and northern areas, has a number of small fresh water springs. The southern areas are gently rolling and a bit sandier, making this region a great growing area for berries that grow wild on the island. While the southern region has few trees, the middle has a few stands of trees but the northern region is noted for its many small forests. Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde, in short, ended up having all the requirements of a pastoral life. Ironically, the islanders never took to the waters around the island to sustain them.

This opens up something that amazes me. The people of Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen  Mååde remained virtually invisible to the world around them. One could easily question what government is responsible for the islanders and that answer can be had easily by geography, but as far as involvement, outside government interference is nil. You might say, by default, Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde is an independent nation, forced by a lack of interference, to take on the role themselves. This lack of showing up on some government’s radar is brought home by the fact the island was never invaded in either World War. Locals note there were landings by foreign nations during these wars, but no army swept across the island to discover what was there or if an opposing army was based there. One can only wonder why.

Places like Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde baffle me. As modern advances were made almost every place on earth, why was Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde not a part of this mix. Why would it be that an electrical system, telephone system and such not be installed on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde? Why are there no banks, medical facilities, police, organized government and even a post office? Why would the island be left off from the ports of call for passing vessels? I do not know the answer but I suspect it is because there has been not even a murmur from the islanders to the outside world.

Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde is unique in that no towns developed. Even today it is entirely rural. One does not find shops and stores as such operates from homes. Even government is loosely organized. As is the case on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde, there are a number of small churches that double as a school. There is a church for about every 10 families. The pastor is always one of the men of one of the families. It is through the church that any government functions. Representatives take issues church by church on matters that affect the whole island. Even disputes are taken to neighboring churches. Unique to the area, a person or family found to be guilty of some infraction is offered a way to make amends. Should they refuse to comply or continue with additional infractions, the family is shunned. The family is not allowed to come to church or school or any area gatherings. Once the family begins to make amends and asks for forgiveness, they are welcomed back in the fold.

As for religion, it would be difficult to define the denomination of Christianity but it is factual to say the weekly service is a big event in the lives of the families. Religion is a part of daily life with the man of the home typically conducting a devotional with the family daily. The father teaches his children the stories of the Bible.

Schooling is unorganized and conducted by the lady of the home with all the ladies taking part in instructing children. One would think the quality of education would be poor, but the opposite is true. The typical child is very well versed in practical knowledge and to a slightly lesser degree, academic knowledge. In fact, the typical graduate can speak the local language as well as any combination of Swedish, Finnish, German and English. English, they feel, is an international language.

The language native to Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde is Sjal. Erik Olsen, believed to be the foremost expert internationally on the Sjal language, has provided considerable assistance on the language.

The islanders are avid readers. Families are known to have a bookshelf crammed with handwritten books. Bibles were handwritten as were other books a family felt were important. Family histories are recorded in book form. It is still fairly common for a book to be borrowed so it may be copied by another family. There are a few that offer transcription services because they are known for their legible writing and accuracy. Daily journals are frequently kept, detailing many facts of everyday life for the family and community. Songbooks are also among the collection as are hymnals.

Social life is centered around the family, but frequent gatherings are held among neighbors. A ‘pot-luck’ style feast where each family contributes food is typically highlighted by a hired ‘diddler’ where participants dance the evening away. A ‘diddler’ is the poor man’s fiddler. A ‘diddler’ mimics the fiddle, using his voice instead of a fiddle. Musical instruments were virtually unknown on Lendirro Rikkiivannen a-Koutiivannen Mååde although the willow flute, made from a twig of the willow tree, birch flute carved by hand and animal horn comprise instrumental music. Such instruments are intended for smaller audiences than at a party.

While on the subject of music, the art of storytelling in song is very popular. Children are frequently taught using song. Even adults light up with lengthy story songs finding themselves as intrigued as the children around the campfire as someone tells a scary story. Sometimes a few act out the story in dance with emphasis on enhancing the words visually.

Another part of many gatherings is young ladies singing. The voice of a lady is especially pleasing to the men, so young ladies develop their own song, trying to sing it in a way to catch the heart of a young man.

Not much has changed over the years, however a small fishing vessel stops at the island every month, mostly to buy local honey, some cheese and products made from the wild berries. In return, the ship brings what few supplies the islanders need and any mail.

Back in the early 1990s, the people desired a better way to communicate, so a small radio station was built and islanders received radios that accept batteries or can be hand cranked. The radio station is one the air a few hours each week with traditional music of the island, announcements and messages. The staff set out to record all the local music they could find and the library now exceeds 500 hours of recordings.

Some of the homes now have electric generators and a few have indoor plumbing. Water is still drawn from pumps, mostly hand pumps.

The 571 people still live on their small farms that dot the island. There are no towns or villages or concentrated areas.

Visitors to the island are very, very few. The only access is by the monthly fishing vessel visit. Even this must be arranged through a family on the island. The visitor will be the guest of the family during that month. While a guest may pay for the hospitality, it is proper to join the family in daily work. Typically an exchange of some money, gifts for the family and sharing in the chores is the most favored combination. The visitor gets extra points by bringing photos and some books, especially if you include a nice Bible for the family. It seems the Bibles are greatly appreciated. One might want to include a few non-perishable foods too.