pärimuse
Pärimus, meaning heritage or tradition, is a central concept in Estonian culture and scholarship. The genitive form pärimuse is used when referring to "the heritage" of a people, community, or group. It encompasses the knowledge, practices, expressions, and values transmitted across generations, and it can include both intangible and material elements when treated as a collective legacy.
Pärimus includes oral traditions such as songs, stories, proverbs, and myths; rituals, ceremonies, and seasonal observances;
Transmission occurs primarily through families and communities, but cultural institutions, educators, and media also play important
Preservation and study of pärimus are supported by archives, museums, folklore institutes, schools, and cultural organizations
Pärimus contributes to national and local identity by linking people to their history and neighboring cultures,