Setumaa 1938

Ello Kirss, one of the best Setu (southeastern Estonia) folklore collectors begins her diary: When in the spring 1938 I voiced my wish to become an exhibitioner of the Estonian Folklore Archive, I was most suitably appointed to my home -- Setu. I had to collect material from the Setu-Russian villages area of Merem e and Vilo parishes in the middle of which my home farm was situated. Main emphasis has to be put on narratives, cantation songs and Orthodox folk tradition. Work was to be started as soon as the exams allowed as the threatening hay season was only a month away. I decided to start collecting in villages closest to my home, Krantsova, Vasilde and Serga and then bit by bit go farther.