Väki
Väki
Supernatural power in Finnish mythology
Väki is a supernatural power in Finnish mythology. It was believed by Baltic Finns that väki resided in natural sites, objects, and animals.[1] Väki has been compared to mana. However, according to Laura Stark, väki is about an impersonal power rather than a universal force.[2] Väki has also been compared to orenda.[3]
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Some folklorists have stated väki are in objects, especially ones connected to the world of the supernatural.[4] The concept of väki was first documented in the 18th century by Christfrid Ganander in his book Mythologia Fennica.[5]
According to K. Krohn, väki originated from animistic beliefs.[6] There is a lack of information regarding how most kinds of väki were used by tietäjä.[7]