View source for Kihnu

{{Short description|Island in Estonia}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Kihnu
| native_name              = Kihnu
| native_name_lang         = et
| other_name               = {{lang|sv|Kynö}}
| settlement_type          = Island
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline            =
| image_caption            =
| image_flag               =
| image_shield             =
| motto                    =
| nickname                 =
| etymology                =
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{EST}}
| subdivision_type1        =
| subdivision_name1        =
| subdivision_type2        = Region
| subdivision_name2        = [[Pärnu County]]
| subdivision_type3        = Municipality
| subdivision_name3        = Kihnu Parish
| subdivision_type4        =
| subdivision_name4        =
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map                = EE_Kihnu.PNG
| map_caption              = Gulf of Riga, with Kihnu and other islands
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Europe##Location within [[Baltic Sea]] region##Location within Estonia|pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_map              = Europe#Baltic Sea#Estonia
| coordinates              = {{coord|58|07|48|N|23|59|24|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes    =
<!-- established -->
| established_title        = Municipality
| established_date         =
<!-- area -->
| area_footnotes           =
| area_total_km2           = 16.38
| area_total_sq_mi         =
| area_land_sq_mi          =
| area_water_sq_mi         =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=estonica/>
| elevation_m              = 29.6
| elevation_ft             =
<!-- population -->
| population_as_of         = 2013
| population_footnotes     =
| population_total         = 690
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_demonym       =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1                = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1              = +2
| timezone1_DST            = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = +3
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type         = Postal codes
| postal_code              = 88005
| area_code_type           =
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}}
'''Kihnu''' is an island in the [[Baltic Sea]]. With an area of {{convert|16.4|km2|abbr=on}}, it is the largest island in the [[Gulf of Riga]]<ref>C.Michael Hogan. 2011. ''Gulf of Riga''. Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. P.Saundry & C.J.Cleveland. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC.</ref> and the seventh largest island of [[Estonia]]. With a length of {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} and width of {{convert|3.3|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}, the island's highest point is {{convert|8.9|m|1|abbr=out}} [[above sea level]].
Kihnu falls into [[Pärnu County]] and together with neighbouring islands forms [[Kihnu Parish]], one of the smallest [[Municipalities of Estonia|municipalities]] of the country, with an area of {{convert|16.8|km2|1|abbr=on}}.
604 people lived on Kihnu {{As of|2007|lc=on}}, 69 of whom were primary school pupils. There are four villages: [[Lemsi]], [[Linaküla]], [[Rootsiküla, Pärnu County|Rootsiküla]], and [[Sääre, Pärnu County|Sääre]]. One can reach Kihnu by a fifteen-minute plane trip from [[Pärnu]] or by ferry, with trips taking three hours from Pärnu and one from [[Manilaid]]. When the sea is frozen in winter, it is possible to drive to the island [[Ice road|over the ice]].
The nearby isle of [[Manilaid]] (or Manija, ''Manõja'' in the Kihnu dialect) has been inhabited by people from Kihnu since 1933 and thus shares its culture.
[[UNESCO]] proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a [[Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity|Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]] on 7 November 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kihnu-cultural-space-00042|title=Kihnu cultural space – intangible heritage|website=UNESCO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond Tallinn: Stunning Places to Visit in Estonia You Never Knew Existed – Europe Guidebook |date=4 February 2023 |url=https://europeguidebook.com/estonia |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>
Kihnu is also called ''Kihnumua'' in the [[Kihnu dialect|local dialect]]. Names in other languages include ''Ķīļu'' in Latvian, ''Kynö'' in Standard Swedish, ''Kin'' in [[Estonian Swedish]], and historically, ''Kühnö'' in German. In [[Estonian Sign Language]], the island is signed by imitating the vertical stripes of a Kihnu skirt. There are various theories on the etymology of the name Kihnu, with no consensus. The earliest recorded version of the name is ''Kyne'', from 1386.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Estonian Place names|url=https://www.eki.ee/dict/knr/}}</ref>
==Culture==
As the men of Kihnu have been frequently away at sea, women have run everyday life on the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes [[handicrafts]], dances, games, and music. The latter is an especially important part of the island's traditions and accompanies handicrafts, religious feasts, and other celebrations. Ancient [[Cantos of the Kalevala|runo]]-styled songs are also important, as is traditional clothing adorned with decorations and bright colours. There are elaborate wedding traditions, which are considered the "most complex and bright expression" of Kihnu culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kultuuriruum.ee/en/kihnu-pulm-en/|website=Kihnu Cultural Space|title=Kihnu wedding|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref>
Kihnu is known for its handicrafts and distinctive traditional clothing, which is still commonly worn today. It includes striped skirts (''kört''), patterned [[knitting|knit]] men's sweaters (''troi''), and knit mittens. Young women have traditionally organised evening get-togethers (''ülalistmine'', i.e., "sitting (staying) up (late)") to do handicrafts.
Traditional cuisine includes [[rye bread]] with potatoes, pork fat, or [[Baltic herring]] added to the dough; [[European eel|eel]] soup, prepared by fishers; and sweet milk soup, an important dish at weddings.<ref name=kihnu-food>{{cite web|url=http://www.kultuuriruum.ee/en/toit-en/|website=Kihnu Cultural Space|title=Food|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> [[Seal hunting]] is practiced in Kihnu, and the [[seal meat|meat]] is considered a delicacy. Another distinctive delicacy is the eggs of semi-domesticated [[mergansers]] (waterbirds), also used for baking cakes.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous men from Kihnu became sailors. The most famous of them was the largely self-taught captain [[Enn Uuetoa]], also known as ''Kihnu Jõnn'' (1848 – 1913; ''Jõnn'' is the local pronunciation of the name Enn).
==Language==
The [[Kihnu dialect]] is thought to belong to the [[Insular dialects (Estonia)|insular dialect group]] of [[North Estonian]], along with the dialects of [[Saaremaa]], [[Muhu]], and [[Hiiumaa]]. Unlike the Estonian language, the Kihnu dialect has the vocal harmony found in other [[Finnic languages]]. Also unlike Estonian, the Kihnu dialect does not have the sound "h" at the beginning of a word—it is only used within words. The vocabulary of the language has also been influenced by other languages. The dialect includes [[triphthong]]s. The special intonation  gives the listener the impression that the speaker is singing while speaking.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kihnu language |url=https://rahvakultuur.ee/2020/03/17/kihnu-keel/ |website=rahvakultuur.ee |access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref>
==Geography and climate==
The island has a sandy interior and a [[rocky coast]] made up of more than fifty islets, which are an important nesting ground for birds. Along the [[dune]]s, [[Raised beach|beach ridge]]s, and sands of the eastern part, the island reaches its maximum height of 29.6 m above sea level.<ref name=estonica>{{cite encyclopedia |title=The islands in the Väinameri Sea and the Gulf of Riga |encyclopedia=[[Estonica]] |url=http://www.estonica.org/en/Nature/West-Estonian_islands/The_islands_in_the_V%C3%A4inameri_Sea_and_the_Gulf_of_Riga/ |date=28 September 2012 |publisher=[[Eesti Instituut]] |access-date=20 February 2018 |archive-date=15 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815062015/http://www.estonica.org/en/Nature/West-Estonian_islands/The_islands_in_the_V%C3%A4inameri_Sea_and_the_Gulf_of_Riga/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Kihnu (normals 1991–2020, extremes 1931–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 8.1
|Feb record high C = 6.4
|Mar record high C = 17.2
|Apr record high C = 23.9
|May record high C = 29.3
|Jun record high C = 31.4
|Jul record high C = 31.8
|Aug record high C = 31.7
|Sep record high C = 26.6
|Oct record high C = 19.3
|Nov record high C = 12.8
|Dec record high C = 9.3
|year record high C = 31.8
|Jan high C = 0.0
|Feb high C = -1.0
|Mar high C = 1.8
|Apr high C = 7.6
|May high C = 14.0
|Jun high C = 18.1
|Jul high C = 21.3
|Aug high C = 20.7
|Sep high C = 16.1
|Oct high C = 10.2
|Nov high C = 5.4
|Dec high C = 2.3
|year high C = 9.7
|Jan mean C = -1.7
|Feb mean C = -2.9
|Mar mean C = -0.5
|Apr mean C = 4.5
|May mean C = 10.5
|Jun mean C = 14.9
|Jul mean C = 18.3
|Aug mean C = 18.0
|Sep mean C = 13.8
|Oct mean C = 8.3
|Nov mean C = 3.8
|Dec mean C = 0.8
|year mean C = 7.3
|Jan low C = -3.6
|Feb low C = -4.9
|Mar low C = -2.7
|Apr low C = 2.1
|May low C = 7.7
|Jun low C = 12.3
|Jul low C = 15.6
|Aug low C = 15.4
|Sep low C = 11.5
|Oct low C = 6.4
|Nov low C = 2.1
|Dec low C = -1.0
|year low C = 5.1
|Jan record low C = -32.4
|Feb record low C = -30.8
|Mar record low C = -22.6
|Apr record low C = -15.7
|May record low C = -2.0
|Jun record low C = 3.2
|Jul record low C = 7.1
|Aug record low C = 6.1
|Sep record low C = 0.6
|Oct record low C = -5.5
|Nov record low C = -14.5
|Dec record low C = -29.5
|year record low C = -32.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 42
|Feb precipitation mm = 35
|Mar precipitation mm = 33
|Apr precipitation mm = 33
|May precipitation mm = 36
|Jun precipitation mm = 59
|Jul precipitation mm = 62
|Aug precipitation mm = 66
|Sep precipitation mm = 54
|Oct precipitation mm = 67
|Nov precipitation mm = 57
|Dec precipitation mm = 52
|year precipitation mm = 595
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 10.3
|Feb precipitation days = 8.3
|Mar precipitation days = 7.9
|Apr precipitation days = 7.1
|May precipitation days = 7.0
|Jun precipitation days = 8.3
|Jul precipitation days = 7.6
|Aug precipitation days = 8.6
|Sep precipitation days = 8.9
|Oct precipitation days = 11.2
|Nov precipitation days = 11.3
|Dec precipitation days = 11.6
|year precipitation days = 108.1
|Jan humidity = 88
|Feb humidity = 88
|Mar humidity = 85
|Apr humidity = 80
|May humidity = 77
|Jun humidity = 80
|Jul humidity = 79
|Aug humidity = 79
|Sep humidity = 81
|Oct humidity = 83
|Nov humidity = 86
|Dec humidity = 87
|year humidity = 83
|source 1 = [[Estonian Weather Service]]<ref name=temp>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en
|title = Climate normals-temperature
|publisher = Estonian Weather Service
|access-date = 14 February 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081118/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en
|archive-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=precip>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en
|title = Climate normals-precipitation
|publisher = Estonian Weather Service
|access-date = 14 February 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081151/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/sademed/?lang=en
|archive-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=humidity>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en
|title = Climate normals-humidity
|publisher = Estonian Weather Service
|access-date = 14 February 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081216/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohuniiskus/?lang=en
|archive-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=precipdays>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303
|title = Kliimanormid-Sademed, õhuniiskus
|publisher = Estonian Weather Service
|language = et
|access-date = 14 February 2021
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222112141/http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303
|archive-date = 22 February 2012
|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=extremes>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/
|title = Rekordid
|language= et
|publisher = Estonian Weather Service
|access-date = 19 March 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417081006/https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/
|archive-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]]/[[NCEI]] (average precipitation days 1991-2020)<ref name=ncei>{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Estonia/CSV/Kihnu_26226.csv
|title = Kihnu climate normals 1991–2020
|publisher = [[NOAA]]
|language = en-us
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417080600/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Estonia/CSV/Kihnu_26226.csv
|archive-date = 17 April 2024}}</ref>
}}
==Images==
<gallery>
Kihnu lighthouse2.jpg|{{center|[[Kihnu Lighthouse]]}}
Kihnu church.JPG|{{center|Church}}
Kihnu-KYL%C3%84KAUPPA.jpg|{{center|An inn}}
Seashore of Kihnu.jpg|{{center|Seashore}}
Kihnu muuseum.jpg|{{center|Museum}}
Villageroad.JPG|{{center|Village road}}
Garden in Kihnu.JPG|{{center|Garden}}
Kihnu rannik 1.JPG|{{center|A view of the coastline}}
Kihnu girls.JPG|{{center|Young girls in both modern and traditional dress returning from school.}}
Kihnu männik.JPG|{{center|Pine forest}}
Kihnu kalmistu4.jpg|{{center|Cemetery}}
Hallhüljes Kihnu hoiualal.JPG|{{center|An adult grey seal on drift ice just off of the Kihnu coast.}}
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[List of islands of Estonia]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Kihnu}}
* [https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kihnu-cultural-space-00042 Kihnu cultural space] at UNESCO
* [http://www.estonia360.ee/kihnu_rahvamaja/ 360-degree aerial panorama of Kihnu]
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Islands of Estonia}}
{{Islands in the Baltic Sea}}
{{UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Kihnu Parish]]
[[Category:Estonian islands in the Baltic]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pärnu County]]
[[Category:Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]]