käymälä

Käymälä is a Finnish term that refers to a type of outhouse or privy. Historically, käymälä was a common feature in rural Finnish households, serving as the primary toilet facility before indoor plumbing became widespread. These structures were typically simple wooden buildings constructed some distance away from the main residence.

The design of a käymälä could vary, but they often consisted of a small cabin with a hole in the floor or a bench with an opening. Waste was collected in a pit or a container beneath the opening. Maintenance involved periodically emptying the waste, often used as fertilizer for fields. In colder climates like Finland, the location and construction of the käymälä were important to consider for practical use throughout the year, though it could be uncomfortable during winter months.

While modern sanitation has largely replaced the need for traditional käymälä, they still exist in some remote areas, summer cottages, and historical sites. The term can also be used colloquially to refer to any basic toilet facility, particularly those found outdoors or in less developed settings. The cultural significance of the käymälä is tied to Finnish rural history and the evolution of domestic infrastructure.