The tradition
Celebration of Midsummer is one of
the best cherished traditions in Åland. Its origin is unclear –
according to some it is the remains from an old fertility cult while
others say that the celebration is a continental custom that came to
the Nordic countries in the end of the 1400’s.
It is not known when the first
decorations of the Midsummer pole begun in Åland, but the oldest
documentation is a village map of Torp in Hammarland from 1801, where a
Midsummer pole is drawn.
Oldest of the Midsummer traditions
is the adorning of a pole, or “majande”, with leaves, twigs and small
trees, of gates, stairways, churches and boats. The oldest
documentation of this leafy decoration is from 1670.
The tradition of celebrating
Midsummer with poles adorned with leaves also occurs in Sweden and
along the southwest coast of Finland. Sometimes the poles are called
May poles but in Åland they are called Midsummer poles. The May poles’
and Midsummer poles’ external appearance differ.