Daina (Latvia)

Lithuanian dainos share common traits with them, but have been more influenced by European folk song traditions.

[1] Latvian dainas often feature drone vocal styles and pre-Christian themes and legends, and can be accompanied by musical instruments such as Baltic psalteries (e.g. kokles).

This can perhaps be explained by diminutives being so popular in dainas that people didn't find it appropriate to replace one with the same word without it, which would be a syllable shorter.

[3] Lyrically, dainas concern themselves with native mythology and traditional festivals[1] but, in contrast to most similar forms, do not have any legendary heroes.

Stories often revolve around pre-Christian deities like the sun goddess Saule and the moon god Mēness.

There are dainas that do not have a mythical theme as well – many simply describe the daily life of agrarian society and nature.

These also often feature the fate deity Laima and were historically sung immediately after birth, which traditionally took place in a bathhouse.