Süsteemijäljed

Süsteemijäljed are a concept in Estonian and broader southern Sami culture referring to an elderly person's afterlife journey in the spiritual realm. In this journey, the deceased person's soul transforms into a creature with characteristics from both animal and human worlds, often taking on the form of a bird, wolf, or bear. The system of beliefs emphasizes that the deceased individual's actions and behavior during their lifetime significantly influence the nature and quality of their spiritual journey.

Süsteemijäljed are believed to undergo a series of transformations, each shaped by the choices they made in life. A person's moral character, their treatment of family and community members, and their adherence to spiritual and cultural practices are all considered when deciding the nature of their journey. Those who lived an upright and morally sound life are thought to be reincarnated in forms associated with positive traits such as swan, eagle, or owl, whereas individuals with a history of wrongdoing or disrespect towards others might find themselves in beasts like the wolf or the bear.

The return of the deceased's spirit to the mortal realm, a phase referred to as the "Falling," is seen as an important event within the community. It marks the continuation of the life cycle, imparting lessons from the previous life cycle to the living. While there is no sharp divide between the mortal realm and the infinite spaces of transcription, community order depends on recognition of spiritual progression under infringement.