Pohjan akka (also known as Louhi) – who is known as one of the leading characters of Finland’s national epic Kalevala* – was a mighty ruler of the mythical Pohjola. Strong, defiant and cruel, but also a protective mother, and a witch, who cared for her people. She could change her form, command the course of the sun, moon and weather, heal diseases and give birth to the most extraordinary creatures.

Distant and cold Pohjola is described as the source of many bad things, such as diseases and frost. Pohjola was the realm of Pohjan akka and despite its reputation, the good conditions of its inhabitants were envied. So, many tried to woo Pohjan akka's supernaturally beautiful daughters.

This mythological female leader, the Lady of Pohjola, is described in Elias Lönnrot's Kalevala as an ugly, old and nasty hag. That is how she is also depicted in several illustrations. For example, she is portrayed as an illegitimate harlot and blamed for causing diseases, ailments and problems. It could be interpreted that this was subsequently men's derogatory way of criticizing female leadership.

In this song, we strive to deconstruct the notions of bad, ugly old crone. Of course, we describe Pohjan akka as defiant and violent, but so were the male leaders of the time. Pohjan akka did what she saw was necessary back then to protect her people. A woman was not only a sensitive, gentle and loving mother or wife, but also able to be a defiant, strong and unwavering leader of her tribe, who took care of her own.

In the song we strive to express the personality of Pohjan akka with dualistic symbolism, which is for example represented in a symbol such as yin and yang. In the personality of Pohjan akka femininity and masculinity, darkness and light, cruelty and tenderness, as well as hatred and love are manifested. We also wanted to bring out this symbolism into the picture attached to this post; darkness and light meet each other in the form of female figures. The women hold Völva's staff in their hands (Völva was a female religious leader and seer).

According to some theories, Kalevala's Pohjola could have been located in Kyrönmaa, South Ostrobothnia, where we come from and where we usually focus the stories of our music. It has also been interpreted that Pohjan akka would have been a shaman.

A part of Völva's staff has been found in the Pukkila boat cremation grave located in Isokyrö, South Ostrobothnia. It is estimated that it is the grave of a female chief. This and Pohjola's possible placement in Kyrönmaa gave us the inspiration and idea for our song “Pohojan Akka.”

*Kalevala is Finland's national epic, which is based on the Finnish-Karelian folk poems collected by Elias Lönnrot since 1828. Lönnrot edited, corrected and unified their language and context, and made up some of the verses himself to form coherent plot patterns.

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Gói is a music project by Rauni Rannanjärvi, Iida Mäkelä & Samuli Ylinen from South Ostrobothnia, Finland. They create music with an ancient touch and enliven the image of Western Finnish history by telling stories and using the South Ostrobothnian dialect. This music aims to create authentic and intensive soundscapes.

► Composition & instruments: Rauni Rannanjärvi
► Vocals: Rauni Rannanjärvi & Iida Mäkelä
► Lyrics: Taina Hautamäki
► Mixing & mastering: Samuli Ylinen

► Instagram: @goibandofficial
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► Promo picture by Netta Vaskivuori
► Video and photo editing by Ronja Rikissa
► Logo design by Heikki Harmainen

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