keremet

sacred grove

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June 30, 2026

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The term "keremet" refers to sacred groves used for religious practices among certain Finno-Ugrian peoples, such as the Mordvins. These groves were considered holy spaces where sacrifices were made to deities, with offerings directed both upwards to the sun and downwards to the night.1

The keremet could be groves of deciduous trees, dedicated to high gods, or fir groves, associated with lower spirits. Specific customs were observed within these sacred areas, including prohibitions against speaking foreign languages, as it was believed to offend the deities. Some keremet were also dedicated to heroic ancestors, and early travelers reported the presence of carved images within them. Similar sacred groves, like the Finnish hiisi and Estonian hiis, existed among other Finno-Ugrian groups.1

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In the keremet of the Mordvins, sacrifices were made both upward to the sun or downward to the night. In groves of deciduous trees the high gods were worshiped, whereas the lower spirits lived in the fir groves. In the Cheremis keremet only the native language could…
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In the keremet of the Mordvins, sacrifices were made both upward to the sun or downward to the night. In groves of deciduous trees the high gods were worshiped, whereas the lower spirits lived in the fir groves. In the Cheremis keremet only the native language could…
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Finno-Ugric religion
Cult centres
…Volga Finns also have fenced-in keremet groves for the family cult and places of worship common to the whole village. Evidence also exists concerning sacrificial groves among the Baltic Finns and from group villages in Karelia and Ingria. In the thinly populated parts of Finland, the family cult took place…
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…Volga Finns also have fenced-in keremet groves for the family cult and places of worship common to the whole village. Evidence also exists concerning sacrificial groves among the Baltic Finns and from group villages in Karelia and Ingria. In the thinly populated parts of Finland, the family cult took place…
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