liigeshaigustes

Liigeshaigustes refers to a traditional Estonian folk custom and festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter preparations. The term combines "liige" (meaning "harvest" or "reaping") and "haigustes" (a variant of "haigust" or "sickness"), though its exact etymology is debated among folklorists. The festival typically occurs in late autumn, often around late September or early October, aligning with the agricultural cycle.

Liigeshaigustes was historically observed across rural Estonia, particularly in regions where farming was central to daily life. The festivities included communal gatherings where villagers would share food, sing, dance, and perform rituals to honor the spirits of the harvest and ward off misfortune. One prominent tradition involved the creation of a symbolic "harvest scarecrow" or effigy, which was sometimes burned or buried to symbolize the end of the growing season and the transition into a period of rest.

The festival also held practical significance, as it served as a time to assess the year’s harvest, store food for winter, and prepare for the colder months ahead. In some communities, divination practices were incorporated, such as reading omens from the behavior of animals or the weather to predict the coming year’s fortunes.

While liigeshaigustes is no longer widely celebrated in its traditional form, elements of the festival have been preserved in modern Estonian cultural heritage. Folklore scholars and cultural organizations occasionally revive aspects of the custom during festivals or educational events to maintain awareness of Estonia’s agricultural traditions. The observance reflects broader Baltic and Slavic harvest festivals, such as the Latvian *Rūpnieku svētki* or the Finnish *korjuufestivaali*, highlighting shared regional agricultural roots.