Interpretation and Translation of the Latvian Folk Song, The Daina

FAIN: FA-11652-76

Bitita G. Vinklers
Unaffiliated independent scholar

To write an interpretation and translation of the Latvian folk song, the daina, of which there are some 818,000 recorded examples. To translate a representative selection of these songs before they are lost through the disintegration of the Latvian language. The daina, short, lyrical songs either sung or recited, have been passed on through an oral tradition for many centuries. They were intimately connected with all aspects of ancient Latvian life and their standard classification is according to the rhythm of the human life cycle. A large number of songs are about the importance of singing itself; songs connected with the rites of the ancient Latvian, pre-Christian religion; and songs used at traditional seasonal celebrations.