käpp

Käpp is a Swedish noun meaning a short, cylindrical stick, typically made of wood or metal. It is used as a walking aid, providing balance and support, and can also function as a simple tool or prop. The term covers a wide range of slender staffs, from everyday walking sticks to ceremonial staffs.

Common forms include the walking cane, used by people who need support while standing or moving; trekking or hiking poles designed for outdoor use; and ceremonial or symbolic staffs carried by figures in processions or performances. Materials vary from natural wood to metal, plastic, and composites, and lengths are tailored to the user’s height or intended use. In some contexts, a käpp can be worn or carried as a fashion accessory or part of a costume.

In Swedish culture and language, käpp is a generic term for such objects, and the word forms the basis for compounds or phrases describing different kinds of sticks. The concept is cross-cultural; similar words exist in other Germanic languages for a stick or cane used for support or status. Related terms in English include cane, staff, and baton.