käymälän

Käymälän is a Finnish term that refers to a toilet, specifically an outhouse or privy. Historically, and still in many rural areas of Finland, a käymälä is a separate small building located away from the main dwelling, designed for the disposal of human waste. These structures typically consist of a simple shed with a hole in the floor leading to a pit below.

The design of a käymälä can vary. Some are very basic, while others may include a seat and a lid for the hole. Ventilation is often a consideration, with chimneys or gaps in the structure to allow air circulation and reduce odors. In the past, the contents of the pit were often removed periodically and used as fertilizer for fields, a practice known as night soil collection.

Modern indoor plumbing has largely replaced the traditional käymälä in urban and more developed areas of Finland. However, they remain common in cottages, summer homes, and more remote locations where access to municipal sewage systems is not feasible. The term "käymälä" is often associated with a more rustic and traditional way of life. While sometimes considered unsanitary by modern standards, a well-maintained käymälä can be a functional and environmentally sound solution for waste disposal in certain contexts.