laudnõusid
Laudnõusid is a term found in Estonian folklore and culinary literature that refers to a traditional communal table setting used during regional festivals and family gatherings. The word combines “laud”, meaning table, with the suffix “-nõusid”, a poetic form derived from “nõud” which in historical contexts referred to a request or obligation. Thus, laudnõusid can be understood as the ceremonial obligation to share a meal at a communal table.
The concept dates back to at least the 17th century, when Estonian peasant communities would gather after
In modern Estonia, laudnõusid has experienced a revival through cultural festivals and educational programs that aim