vanemõõdud

Vanemõõdud are a concept in Estonian folklore and tradition, referring to a set of traditional units of measurement used for everyday purposes before the widespread adoption of the metric system. These measures were often based on common body parts or readily available objects, making them intuitive and practical for local communities.

Examples of vanemõõdud include units like the "küünar" (elbow length), "samm" (stride), and "kann" (a measure based on a jug or pot). The exact size of these units could vary slightly from region to region or even from household to household, reflecting their informal and customary nature. They were used for tasks such as measuring fabric, land, grain, or liquids.

The transition to standardized metric units, beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gradually replaced vanemõõdud in official and commercial contexts. However, remnants of these traditional measures can still be found in colloquial speech, historical texts, and in discussions about cultural heritage. Understanding vanemõõdud provides insight into the historical daily life and economic practices of Estonia.