ClassX Video Lessons The myth of the Sampo— an infinite source of fortune and greed – Hanna-Ilona Härmävaara
After enduring a fierce maritime battle and eight grueling days adrift at sea, Väinämöinen—a legendary bard and sage as ancient as the world itself—found himself washed ashore in the distant land of Pohjola. Unlike his homeland of Kalevala, Pohjola was a bleak and icy realm, ruled by Louhi, the notorious “gap-tooth hag of the North.”
Louhi, a cunning witch, nursed Väinämöinen back to health but demanded a reward for his safe return home. Her desire was not for gold or silver but for the creation of the mythical Sampo. This artifact, said to be an endless source of wealth, was to be forged from “the tips of white-swan feathers,” “the milk of greatest virtue,” “a single grain of barley,” and “the finest wool of lambskins.” Väinämöinen knew that only Seppo Ilmarinen, the Eternal Hammerer who had forged the sky-dome itself, could craft such an object.
Väinämöinen persuaded Louhi to let him return home to fetch the skilled smith. Despite the arduous journey, he eventually made it back to Kalevala. However, Ilmarinen was reluctant to travel to the ominous North, a land known for its witches and man-eaters. True to his word, Väinämöinen cleverly tricked Ilmarinen into climbing a giant tree, then summoned a powerful storm to transport the smith to Pohjola.
Upon his arrival, Ilmarinen was warmly welcomed in the North. Louhi offered him lavish hospitality and promised him the hand of her beautiful daughter—if he could forge the Sampo. Confident in his abilities, Ilmarinen accepted the challenge. However, his initial attempts yielded only other artifacts: a bloodthirsty crossbow and a plow that ruined fields, among others.
Finally, Ilmarinen called upon the winds to work the bellows, and after three days, he successfully pulled the Sampo from the forge’s flames. The artifact featured a lid of many colors and sides adorned with a grain mill, a salt mill, and a money mill. Delighted by its limitless productive power, Louhi secured the treasure inside a mountain. Yet, when Ilmarinen sought his promised bride, she refused him, leaving the smith to return home alone.
Years passed, and while Pohjola thrived, Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen remained without wives or great wealth. Resentful of this injustice, Väinämöinen proposed a quest to retrieve the Sampo. Accompanied by Lemminkäinen—a charming troublemaker—they sailed north to confront Louhi.
Upon their arrival, Väinämöinen demanded half of the Sampo’s profits as compensation, threatening to seize the artifact by force if refused. Outraged, Louhi summoned her forces to battle the heroes. However, Väinämöinen played his magical harp, the Kantele, enchanting all who heard it and plunging Pohjola into a deep slumber. Unchallenged, the trio took the Sampo and quietly made their escape.
Elated by their success, Lemminkäinen urged Väinämöinen to sing of their triumph. The bard, wary of premature celebration, refused. Yet, after three days of travel, Lemminkäinen’s excitement got the better of him, and he broke into song. His terrible singing woke a nearby crane, whose cries alerted the Pohjolan horde.
As their warship closed in, Väinämöinen raised a rock to breach their hull. Undeterred, Louhi transformed into a giant eagle, carrying her army on her back to attack the heroes’ vessel. She managed to seize the Sampo in her claw, but it slipped and shattered into pieces, sinking into the sea beyond her reach.
Now resting on the ocean floor, the remnants of the powerful Sampo remain in the domain of Ahti, the god of water, where they continue to grind salt for the seas to this day.
Imagine you are a legendary smith like Ilmarinen. Design your own mythical artifact that has special powers. Draw a picture of it and write a short description explaining what materials it is made from and what magical abilities it possesses. Share your creation with the class and explain how it could be used in a story similar to the quest for the Sampo.
Get into groups and assign roles such as Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, Louhi, and Lemminkäinen. Act out key scenes from the story, such as the forging of the Sampo, the trick to get Ilmarinen to Pohjola, and the final battle. Focus on expressing the characters’ emotions and motivations. After the role-play, discuss how each character’s actions influenced the outcome of the story.
Using a large piece of paper, create a map that traces Väinämöinen’s journey from Kalevala to Pohjola and back. Include key locations such as the sea, the giant tree, and the mountain where the Sampo was hidden. Add illustrations and labels to make your map visually appealing. Present your map to the class and explain the significance of each location in the story.
Imagine what happens next after the Sampo is lost in the sea. Write a short story that continues the adventures of Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen. Consider new challenges they might face and how they would overcome them. Share your story with the class and discuss how it builds on the themes and characters from the original tale.
Hold a class debate on the ethical decisions made by the characters. For example, discuss whether Väinämöinen was justified in tricking Ilmarinen or if Louhi had the right to keep the Sampo. Divide into two teams and prepare arguments for and against each character’s actions. After the debate, reflect on how these ethical dilemmas add depth to the story.
Epic – A long poem or story that tells the adventures of a hero. – The epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories in the world, telling the tale of a great king’s adventures.
Tale – A story that is often imaginative or fictional. – The tale of Cinderella teaches us about kindness and the importance of believing in ourselves.
Sampo – A magical object in Finnish mythology that brings good fortune and prosperity. – In the story of the Kalevala, the hero Väinämöinen seeks the Sampo to bring wealth to his people.
Quest – A long and difficult search for something important. – The knight’s quest to find the Holy Grail was filled with challenges and adventures.
Bard – A poet or storyteller who often recites tales of heroes and legends. – The bard sang songs of bravery and love, captivating everyone in the great hall.
Witch – A woman believed to have magical powers, often depicted in stories as using spells. – In many fairy tales, the witch casts a spell that the hero must break to save the day.
Treasure – Valuable items, often gold or jewels, that are hidden or sought after. – The pirates searched for the hidden treasure marked on the ancient map.
Battle – A fight between groups of people, often in a war or conflict. – The battle between the gods and the giants in mythology was fierce and legendary.
Mythical – Relating to myths or stories that are not real but are often used to explain natural events. – The mythical creature known as the unicorn is often seen as a symbol of purity and grace.
Journey – A trip or adventure from one place to another. – The hero’s journey took him through dark forests and over high mountains in search of his destiny.
