Öinä

Öinä is a term used in folklore studies and in speculative fiction to denote a set of nocturnal practices and performances associated with the longest nights. The word is described as deriving from a hypothetical Finnic root ö- meaning night and a plural suffix -inä, and it is used in scholarly discussions to refer to a family of ritual events rather than a single fixed tradition.

Practices attributed to öinä vary by region but commonly center on communal gatherings during winter nights. Participants gather in public spaces or homes, carrying lamps or candles to illuminate the darkness. Activities often include singing, storytelling, ritual walks, and shared meals. In some variants, the rituals emphasize remembrance of ancestors or protection against winter hazards, while other versions focus on festive music and dance.

Historical development: The concept appears in 19th-century regional folklore collections and has since been revived in 20th- and 21st-century studies and in speculative fiction drawing on Northern European imagery. In academic contexts, öinä is used to illustrate how nocturnal rituals can structure social time, reinforce community identity, and adapt to changing urban environments.

See also: Night, Solstice, Lantern festival, Folklore studies.