People have lived in Estonia for thousands of years, but their ethnic identity emerged in the 1800s. A 1739 Bible translation into Estonian enhanced their pride in their nationality. They identify as Nordic or Baltic, but their language is related to Finnish. Finnish and Estonian are not mutually intelligible.
Many left Estonia because of the Tsarist rule of Estonia starting in the early 1700s. Others left during WWII because of German occupation and after the Soviets annexed their country in 1940. The Estonian diaspora is usually in Finland, Scandinavian countries, and former Soviet nations that gained independence when the USSR dissolved in 1991. Many wanted to settle in North America, so Estonians are also in Canada and the United States. They have a natural presence in their neighboring country, Latvia. Estonians began to arrive in Latvia in large numbers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Estonians in Latvia are called “Leivus.” Because of their common border, Estonians have moved across the border and back at various times.
Estonian families include parents and children. However, due to the high divorce rate, single-parent families are common. Extended family members are far away. Estonian youths try to stake it out on their own around age 20.
Estonians love choirs; singing is a favorite pastime. They also enjoy all kinds of sports, especially basketball and skiing.
No matter where they live, Estonians have their own cuisine. Their foods feature black bread, potatoes, herring, pork and dairy products. A favorite delicacy is blood sausage, which they eat as a Christmas food. Smoked or marinated eel or crayfish are also delicacies. They like to wash down their meals with either beer or coffee. Estonians in diaspora tend towards globalized favorites such as pizza, burgers, French fries and pasta.
The Riga Estonian Educational and Relief Society is very active in Latvia. Estonians in Latvia established an Estonian language school in 1989.
Partly because of their various identities, Estonians can be Roman Catholic, Estonian Evangelical Lutheran
Even by European standards, Estonians are secularized. They have several church traditions, but only a small percentage believe Christianity affects their lives.
Pray for a Christ-centered revival in all Estonian church traditions.
Pray for Estonians to draw closer to the Lord, seek his face, and obey his ways.
Pray that soon, Estonian disciples will make more disciples wherever they live.
Scripture Prayers for the Estonian in Latvia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonians
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Estonia
https://riga.mfa.ee/estonians-in-latvia/history-of-estonians-in-latvia/
https://riga.mfa.ee/estonians-in-latvia/estonians-in-latvia-today/
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
