Mate

by Aldis Putelis

 
The Latvian word for “mother” and used to form the names of some sixty (some sources give the number seventy) Latvian deities. They are different and the ease with what they have been created lead to a conclusion that it has been a pattern at some time, assuming that there is a Mother for every thing and activity. Some of them have quite clear descriptions and functions (as Veja mate – Mother of Winds, Zemes mate – Mother of Soil/Land, Velu mate – Mother of the Dead Souls (veli), etc.), the others are mentioned just
a couple of times or even just once.

Article details:
· Also known as:
Mahte