Kaitsekesta
Kaitsekesta is a term used in folklore studies to denote a protective rite practiced in parts of the Baltic and adjacent regions. The concept centers on the belief that households can be shielded from harm through ritual acts, symbols, and communal observance. The name is commonly linked to the Estonian word kaitse, meaning protection, with a suffix that forms an abstract noun, though precise etymology remains debated.
In traditional practice, kaitsekesta involves marking entry thresholds with protective signs, displaying talismans or charms, and
Historically, kaitsekesta is described in ethnographic accounts as a folk practice rooted in earlier protective rites,
In contemporary contexts, kaitsekesta appears in revivalist communities, academic discussions on folk magic, and cultural storytelling.