Kihnu
Encyclopedia
Kihnu is an island
in the Baltic Sea
. With an area of 16,4 km² it is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga
and the seventh largest island of Estonia
. The length of the island is 7 km and width 3.3 km, the highest point is at 8.9 m above sea level.
The island belongs to the Pärnu County
of Estonia. Together with neighbouring islands it forms Kihnu Parish
, one of the smallest municipalities
of the country with an area of 16,8 km².
604 people live on Kihnu of whom 69 are primary school pupils. There are four villages: Lemsi
, Linaküla
, Rootsiküla
and Sääre
. One can reach Kihnu by plane from Pärnu
(15 minutes) or ferry from either Pärnu
(3 hours) or Manilaid
(1 hour), and when the sea is frozen in winter it is possible to drive to the island over the ice.
UNESCO
proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
on November 7, 2003. The Baltic islands of Manija and Kihnu are home to a small group of traditional people. For many years, the men of Kihnu have been frequently gone to sea while the women ran the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes handicrafts, dances, games and music. Music is an especially important part of the island's traditions, and accompanies handicrafts, religious feasts and other celebrations. Ancient runo-styled songs are also important, as are traditional clothings adorned with decorations and bright colours that symbolize ancient legends and poems.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. With an area of 16,4 km² it is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga
Gulf of Riga
The Gulf of Riga, or Bay of Riga, is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. According to C.Michael Hogan, a saline stratification layer is found at a depth of approximately seventy metres....
and the seventh largest island of Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. The length of the island is 7 km and width 3.3 km, the highest point is at 8.9 m above sea level.
The island belongs to the Pärnu County
Pärnu County
Pärnu County , or Pärnumaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in south-western part of the country, on the coast of Gulf of Riga, and borders Lääne and Rapla counties to the north, Järva and Viljandi counties to the east, and Latvia to the south...
of Estonia. Together with neighbouring islands it forms Kihnu Parish
Kihnu Parish
Kihnu Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Pärnu County. It covers the area of Kihnu island. The population of Kihnu is 489 and an area of 16.88 km².-Settlements:...
, one of the smallest municipalities
Municipalities of Estonia
A Municipality is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country....
of the country with an area of 16,8 km².
604 people live on Kihnu of whom 69 are primary school pupils. There are four villages: Lemsi
Lemsi
Lemsi is one of the four villages on the island of Kihnu, in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it belongs to Kihnu Parish, Pärnu County. The village is situated on the eastern side of the island. In 2000 Lemsi had a population of 145....
, Linaküla
Linaküla
Linaküla is one of the four villages on the island of Kihnu, in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it belongs to Kihnu Parish, Pärnu County. The village occupies the western coast of the island. In 2000 Linaküla had a population of 122....
, Rootsiküla
Rootsiküla, Pärnu County
Rootsiküla is one of the four villages on the island of Kihnu, in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it belongs to Kihnu Parish, Pärnu County. The village occupies the southern part of the island. In 2000 Rootsiküla had a population of 106....
and Sääre
Sääre, Pärnu County
Sääre is one of the four villages on the island of Kihnu, in southwestern Estonia. Administratively it belongs to Kihnu Parish, Pärnu County. The village is situated in the northern side of the island. In 2000 Sääre had a population of 137....
. One can reach Kihnu by plane from Pärnu
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
(15 minutes) or ferry from either Pärnu
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
(3 hours) or Manilaid
Manilaid
Manilaid is a Estonian islet in the Gulf of Riga, located between the island of Kihnu and the mainland's Tõstamaa peninsula. Together with the neighbouring smaller uninhabited islets Sorgu and Anilaid, Manilaid forms the village of Manija...
(1 hour), and when the sea is frozen in winter it is possible to drive to the island over the ice.
Culture
Kihnu's mittens, troi, "ülalistmine" and striped skirts are famous in many countries, especially among craftsmen and scientists.UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of UNESCO starting in 2001 to raise awareness on intangible cultural heritage and encourage local communities to protect them and the local people who sustain these forms of cultural...
on November 7, 2003. The Baltic islands of Manija and Kihnu are home to a small group of traditional people. For many years, the men of Kihnu have been frequently gone to sea while the women ran the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes handicrafts, dances, games and music. Music is an especially important part of the island's traditions, and accompanies handicrafts, religious feasts and other celebrations. Ancient runo-styled songs are also important, as are traditional clothings adorned with decorations and bright colours that symbolize ancient legends and poems.