Valmistelleet

Valmistelleet refers to a group of pre-mettled or half-dressed pairs made from wood in Finland. The term is derived from the Finnish word "valmistellu", meaning preparing or making ready, and "heitto", which refers to throwing or hurling. Valmistelleet are made by placing a previously prepared wooden pole or beam onto a horizontal beam or a heavy rock, often near a lake or a river, and then measuring the distance it falls.

Traditionally, valmistelleet were used as a form of ancient measurement, particularly in the Finnish provinces of Savo and Karelia. They were also used on market days, when traders would use them to measure goods and determine their prices. The length of the distance the pole falls, or the number of throws it takes for the pole to land, was used as a unit of measurement, equivalent to a given distance or weight.

Valmistelleet were also used as a form of entertainment and competition, with the goal of throwing the pole as far as possible. The art of valmistelleet required great skill and strength, and those who excelled in this art were highly regarded. The customs surrounding valmistelleet were often tied to trade and commerce, and they played a significant role in the social and economic lives of the people in these regions.

The practice of valmistelleet has largely fallen out of use in modern times, replaced by more conventional forms of measurement and trade. However, the legacy of valmistelleet remains an important part of Finland's cultural heritage, and the tradition continues to be celebrated and remembered in local folklore and customs.