Estonia's Kihnu - the women's island

Lost in the Baltic Sea off Estonia's coast, a little island is home to one of the world's last matriarchal societies. Women are in charge of this community of 600 souls and have been running the show for centuries.

The men of Kihnu, who are mostly fishermen, go out to sea for months at a time, leaving behind wives and children. Women govern the island in their absence, and act as guardians of its traditions and culture. In 2003, Kihnu culture was recognised as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania travel guide.

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania travel guide

Coverage Includes: Planning chapters, Helsinki Excursion, Kaliningrad Excursion, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Understand & Survival guide chapters.

Check out more ebooks and print versions for Estonia

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Sponsored link

Join the Raven brothers on four epic overland adventures across the USA, Russia, Black Sea and South America!

   


Available in paperback & digital

Driving the Trans-SiberianThe Ultimate Road Trip Across Russia

Black Sea Circuit: An Adventure Through the Caucasus

Carnival Express: A South America Adventure

Living the Linger: Freedom on the American Highway