võlaallikatest

Võlaallikatest, also known as fjeldspringer or Edda, is a type of folk song from Estonia, specifically associated with the eastern part of the country. These songs are a type of vocal music that originate from tradition and often expressed a way of life, history, morality, and state of mind. They were passed down from generation to generation, frequently orally, and are closely tied to Estonian folk culture.

The word "võlaallikate" is derived from the Estonian words "võla," which means "a loan," and "allikate," which means "a source." This refers to the practice of singing these songs after borrowing or receiving something from nature, such as berries or fish. The origins of võlaalliketest are lost in time, but it's believed they date back to before the 20th century. Their themes often focus on romantic love, everyday life, working activities, and stories about animals and natural surroundings.

Võlaallikatest are typically sung in an active tonal system where the singer usually sings and repeats the last part of the verse. The rhythms and melodies are freely improvised. There are different types of võlaalliketest, such as the events where lovers meet, children cry, farms are working, and sadness strikes the heart. The songs that belong to the Estonian national folk song collection ( Eesti Rahvelaulud ) have their own bilingual structure - in both I, you, him, them are used - what separates from others.