eheyttöminen

Eheyttäminen is a historical or traditional term in Finnish that refers to the act of betrothing or engaging two people to marry. It denotes a formal pledge or agreement between the individuals and often between their families, signaling a future marriage.

Historically, eheyttäminen occurred in many Nordic and Baltic communities and was influenced by Christian norms. The process could involve public announcements, negotiations over dowry or property arrangements, and social obligations that extended beyond the couple themselves. In some contexts, breaking an engagement could carry social stigma or require compensation, although the exact consequences varied by region and era. The practice gradually declined as modern concepts of engagement emerged and legal frameworks around marriage evolved.

In contemporary usage, the term eheyttäminen is largely historical or literary. Today Finns more commonly use the word kihlaus to describe an engagement, which generally has no legal force but signifies a mutual commitment to marry. In historical or scholarly discussions, eheyttäminen may still appear when examining old records, church documents, or cultural traditions related to family and marriage.

See also: kihlaus, avioituminen, avioliitto, naimisiinmeno.