Tonttu

Tonttu is a Finnish version of the Swedish tomte.

Ethymology

Both tonttu and tomte are related to words tontti (Finnish) and tomt (Swedish). They mean a piece of land, on which a house is built, and later protected by a local spirit, a tonttu.

Family

Tonttus is a Maan Haltija (Haltija of land) and belong to the family of haltijas.

• Kotihaltia (home elf, home gnome) is the word for a tonttu that lives in every home. He takes care of the house, but it is also important to treat him with respect.

• Saunatonttu lives in the sauna and protects it, but also makes sure that people will not behave improperly in it.

• Joulutonttu is Finnish for Christmas elf. Unlike some christmas elves, Finnish Joulutonttu is thought not to have pointy ears.

See also

• Haltija
• Tomte