Othala - Tammepühamu

In the twilight of time, where legends sing and winds whisper, lie the sacred oak groves - the sanctuaries of ancient Estonians, guardians of their faith and aspirations. Mighty oaks, like giants, raised their crowns to the heavens, connecting the human realm with the kingdom of gods. Under their shade, an atmosphere of mystery prevailed, infused with the grandeur of nature and awe of the unknown. In these mystical groves, the Estonians performed their sacred rituals. Sacrificial altars, built from stones, were stained with the blood of animals, while prayers, like incense, curled towards the treetops, imploring the gods for mercy. Shamans, clad in animal skins, fell into trances under the flickering of bonfires and the wind’s song in the branches. They foretold the future, healed the sick, and petitioned the gods for rain and fertility. The oak groves were not merely places of rituals but also the heart of Estonian culture. Elders gathered here to dispense justice and decide momentous matters. Songs were sung, praising the deeds of heroes and the beauty of the homeland. Dances intertwined with rituals, while laughter and joy intermingled with prayers. Alas, time has not spared these sacred places. Under the onslaught of civilization, the groves were cut down, and the ancestral faith gradually faded. But even now, in the shadows of the few surviving oaks, one can still feel the echoes of those distant times when people lived in harmony with nature and the gods. The sacred oak groves are not just pages of history; they are symbols of the resilience of the human spirit, its connection to the eternal and unchanging. And while we can no longer fully recreate the atmosphere of those times, the memory of them will forever remain in the heart of the Estonian people.