Photo by Stina Kase
Manija (or Manõja in the Kihnu dialect) is less than a kilometre across the sea from the Munalaiu harbour near Pärnu. It is an exciting spot for traditional culture and to enjoy the rare flora of the coastal meadows with nearly 100 different plant species per square metre. During migration time you can spot the diverse coastal birds of the Nordic. The naval maps of the Gulf of Livland mentioned the island first in 1560 as Holm Manne, later also as Manniland and, since the Soviet occupation, under the name Manilaid. People from Kihnu have jokingly called the island their back-up island. As 70 Kihnu families were without land, Manija island was divided into 22 fishing farms in 1933. The first household on the island – the Manija Farm with the living quarters of the first meadow guard – still exists, dating back to 1864. Manija is also listed as part of UNESCO cultural heritage. The nearly 30 inhabitants of the island have created the Manõja Cultural Society, which in collaboration with the Kihnu Cultural Institute founded their own museum on the island. This was largely thanks to the renowned documentary filmmaker Mark Soosaar who has settled on the island and who, in addition to collecting traditional material, is in charge of organising various events including film nights. Newer traditions include children’s nature camps and the annual summer congregation of islanders called Manõja Päe – which is filled with great games and a dance festival. The island can be reached via the boat ‘Mann’ from Munalaiu harbour daily, until the sea freezes over; one to three times per week all year round by the ferry ‘Kihnu Virve’, named after the famous Kihnu songstress (who actually grew up on Manija island and only went to Kihnu when her children became school age). LI F E I N ESTON IA N o 4 6
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