Tõlluöö

Tõlluöö is a traditional Estonian folk custom associated with the island of Saaremaa. The name translates to "Tõll's Night," referring to the legendary giant Suur Tõll, a prominent figure in Saaremaa folklore. This custom is observed on the night of November 2nd, which coincides with the Catholic commemoration of All Souls' Day.

Historically, Tõlluöö was a time for remembering the departed and believed to be a night when the souls of the dead could visit the living. Practices associated with Tõlluöö varied across different villages on Saaremaa, but often involved rituals aimed at appeasing or honoring the spirits. Some traditions included leaving offerings of food and drink for the ancestors. Others involved safeguarding the home and hearth, as it was thought that spirits might roam freely.

The folklore surrounding Suur Tõll often depicts him as a benevolent giant who protected Saaremaa and its people. Tõlluöö is seen as a night when his presence might be particularly felt, or when the boundaries between the world of the living and the realm of spirits blurred. While the explicit practice of Tõlluöö has diminished with modernization and the influence of other cultural traditions, elements of remembering ancestors and acknowledging the supernatural aspects of this night persist in the cultural memory of Saaremaa. It remains an important part of the island's rich folklore and heritage.