Höynysoits

Höynysoits is a traditional stringed instrument originating in the coastal regions of southern Finland. It is traditionally made from a single piece of spruce, with a resonant body that is carved to produce a shallow, rounded top. The instrument typically carries six to ten strings made of gut or modern synthetic fibres, tuned in a diatonic scale similar to that of the kantele. The strings are plucked with the fingers of the right hand while the left hand may press the strings to modify pitch, creating a distinctive, bell-like timbre. A small, metal tuning peg affixed to the head of the instrument allows for precise adjustments.

The höynysoits has its roots in the maritime folk music of the Åland Islands and the Ålandian dialect, where it was used both as a solo instrument and in accompaniment of sea shanties. It was traditionally crafted by local luthiers in a hand‑crafting tradition. In the early twentieth century, few surviving instruments reached museums in Turku and Helsinki, but recent revival projects have encouraged new makers to study the original construction techniques. Contemporary musicians occasionally feature höynysoits in experimental folk ensembles, broadening its repertoire beyond the folk realm. Studies of surviving instruments suggest that the höynysoits should be considered a distinct entity within the Nordic family of plucked lyres, complementary to instruments such as the Western Finnish kantele, the Swedish nyckelharpa, and the Estonian tambur.

Despite the scarcity of surviving instruments and written documentation, the höynysoits remains a subject of interest for ethnomusicologists studying the transmission of folk musical traditions in the Finnic region. Its unique construction and tonal qualities provide insight into the acoustic culture of coastal Finland in the pre‑industrial era.