korkokeniä

Korkokeniä is a term used to describe the Swedish habit of burning juniper branches or cones to repel moths and other insects from clothes and textiles. The practice is believed to have originated from the idea that the smoke from the juniper would repel moths and prevent them from damaging clothing.

The tradition of using juniper to repel insects is thought to have been brought to Sweden by farmers who would burn the branches to clear out insects that had infested their stored grains and hay. Over time, the practice was adopted for use on clothing and other textiles, particularly woolen garments.

Juniper branches or cones are typically collected from the wild and then burned in a bonfire or fire pit. The smoke is allowed to waft over the clothing or textiles to be protected, and is believed to repel moths and other insects. The practice is often performed in the fall, before storing clothes away for the winter.

While some people continue to practice korkokeniä, it is not a widely observed custom, particularly in modern times. Many argue that the practice is ineffective in repelling moths and other insects, and that other methods such as using moth balls or cedar wood chips are more reliable. Nevertheless, the tradition remains a part of Swedish folklore and cultural heritage.