KellieAnn Halvorsen - Midterm paper Introduction to Folklore
October 12, 2013
My
Norwegian Roots
Discovered at Disney
Photograph by Author "The Halvorsen Sisters and
their Norwegian Christmas Trees." 2010 jpeg
Introduction
My
ancestors came from the Northern European country of Norway, but it
wasn’t until a family visit to Walt Disney World's Epcot (“Epcot”
n.d., online) some 4515 miles away from the actual country did we
really start to discover our Norwegian roots. At Epcot just beyond
the iconic ball you will find the World Showcase, pavilions and areas
that represent several countries of the world surrounding a
picturesque lagoon. There on the water's edge tucked between
pavilions representing China and Mexico you will find the Norwegian
pavilion with reproductions of iconic architecture, food,
decorations, and the most popular ride in the World Showcase, the
Maelstrom. The amount of people a year who visit this faux Norway, is
equivalent to the actual population of Norway, (“Norway” n.d.,
online) making it a great way to educate the masses on the culture
and folklore of this nation. Because of the Norway pavilion some of
my first impressions of what is important to Norway was vikings,
trolls, the land and sea. This might not be the best representation
of the values of the actual people of Norway, but it is a great
spring board to start our exploration of the Norwegian folk.
The
Folk
Norway
is part of the Scandinavian countries in northern Europe which also
includes Denmark and Sweden. The area was settled by east Germanic
tribes between 780 to 1100 AD whose culture overtook over the
original Norse population. The Germanic tribes gave the area the name
Scandza which means “womb of nations.” (Boysen, 2011) This
monicker came into fruition as the Viking age continued and
Scandinavian vikings explored, traded, settled, and even raided much
of Europe and the world leaving behind an influence wherever they
went.
During
this time a unique Norwegian Farm Culture began to develop and
continues to be perpetuated today. There is a emphasis on self
reliance with rural farming and fishing, along with associated
values that permeates the folk culture, rituals, myths, and tales of
this northern nation. In the 18th century Norway
experienced a strong patriotic movement that made it possible for the
perseverance of this Norwegian Farm culture. With it an emergence and
divergence of Norwegian culture from that of other Scandinavian
countries developed. Modern Norwegians or “Nordmen” as called by
Scandinavians, a population of over 5 million, continue to honor
their unique folklore today.
Disney.
'Trolls of Maelstrom" 2013, jpeg. online image.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/maelstrom-marks-
25-years-of-sending-guests-back-over-the-falls-at-epcot/
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/maelstrom-marks-
25-years-of-sending-guests-back-over-the-falls-at-epcot/
Trolls
One of the most
abundant decorations you will see in the Norwegian pavilion at Epcot
is statues, carvings, and figurines of a common mythological
creature, the troll. Trolls are creatures of varying sizes and
ugliness that live in the mountains, fjords, forests and nature of
the land. (“Trolls of Scandinavia” 2008, online) Their
temperament can be mean, mischievous, or even benevolent. There are
dozens of types of trolls as well as legends. From waterfall trolls,
Fossegrimen, to Huldra a lady troll who liked to seduce
men, and common farm trolls, Nisse, the Norwegian landscape
seems to be dotted with trolls. These urban legends aren't just told
around a campfire or to keep a child on their best behavior, they are
part of their culture and has embedded themselves into rituals and
practices of Norwegians even today.
According to the
mythology every farm has a Nisse troll. They view the land as their
own and sometimes can give the farmers who they view as squatting on
their land a hard time. A Nisse can be a good creature to have, if a
farmer keeps it happy by being kind to his own farm animals and
offering gifts to the Nisse. Nisse enjoys porridge with butter, and
as such a ritual developed where a farmer on Christmas will leave a
bowl of porridge and butter out for the Nisse to eat on Christmas, or
Yule. In the morning the bowl is checked to make sure that the Nisse
has eaten it and is pleased with the offering. If the porridge is not
eaten, it is viewed as a bad luck and is expected to be followed by
events like bad crops, spoiled milk and sick animals. This ritual has
evolved and perpetuate the story of Santa Clause, who can be
interpreted to mean something like a yule nisse or Christmas
Troll, giving gifts to the deserving.
Stories of trolls
wither friend or foe. are just some of the many legends of
mythological creatures that effected the population of Norway. But
there are other legends that shaped the nations folklore, and these
ones are based on historical people and events. These are the stories
of the Vikings.
Vikings
Every World Showcase
Pavilion has an iconic landmark and for the Norway pavilion it is the
Norwegian Stave Church, a gallery stocked with exhibit of viking
replicas and artifacts dating as far back as the 9th
century. Norwegian vikings has sculpted the culture, religion, and
politics of the Norwegian people. Christianity took longer to spread
into Scandinavia then other areas of the world so the Vikings
worshiped a pagan pantheon of Norse Gods until the Viking king Olaf
II Harldson (Boysen, 2011) converted to Christianity in the 11th
century. History has recalled “Olaf the Holy” as a violent viking
whom participated in brutal attacks across the European content and
used the conversion to Christianity of his nation as simply a power
move. He was killed in battle in the Battle of Stelkstad in 1030 AD
and became a martyr and a later a saint of the Catholic church.
Christianity grew strong over the next centuries and in 16th century,
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway became the official church
of Norway of which over two-thirds of the Norwegian population is
currently members of. Although a small percentage actually practice
the religion. (“Religion of Norway” n.d., online)
Disney.
“Viking at Norway Pavilion” 2013, jpeg, online image.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/galleries/2013/05/journey-to-norway-no-passport-needed/#photo-3
Every year the viking king, and saint, Olaf II is honored by a name
sake holiday on July 29th commemorating his death. The
Stiklestad National Culture Centre in Nord-Trøndelag puts on a St.
Olaf festival every year that attacks tens of thousands visitors to
concerts, seminars, performances and more about the vikings. (“Top
5 Viking Experiences in Norway” n.d., online) Viking feasts,
festivals and reenactments are common throughout Norway and a very
popular way for the people to inform and educate the outside world in
performances. These events also become a great way for Norwegians to
celebrate their hermitage and teach their younger generation about
great vikings like King Olaf II, Cnut the great, and Erik the Red.
Conclusion
Visiting the Norway
Pavillion in Epcot for me has become more then a vacation, but a call
to learn about my ancestors. Our visit on May 17, 2009 coincided with
Norwegian Constitution Day, a day celebrating the signing of a
Norwegian constitution in 1814 effectively ceding the nation from the
Denmark and Sweden. At the event there was such an atmosphere of
celebration as Norwegians settled here in America poured into Epcot
to mingle with each other. Norwegian flags of red, white, and blue
hung from every available place, festive music hung in the air,
Norwegian food and drink was in plenty and Disney Cast Members
native to Norway wore traditional Bunad clothing while handed
out flags and bracelets to the guests.
We spent most the
day their riding the replica Viking ship past the trolls on the
Maelstrom ride, munching on open faced salmon sandwiches, crafting at
the kids table and chatting with actual Norwegians. We have since
celebrated the holiday as a family at home with a Norwegian feast of
our own and watching Norwegian films. Constitution Day is not the
only day we celebrate our newly discovered roots, the Christmas is a
season full of Norway now, with talks of trolls, Nisse, Krampus, and
even the Norse Gods mingled with our usual nativity and tree. Now, we
are very proud of our Norwegian heritage and viking blood.
Notes:
- Boysen, Hjalmar H. The Story of Norway. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2011. Kindle file.
- “Epcot” Disney, n.d. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot/ 12 October 2013
- Forty, Jo. Mythology A Visual Encyclopedia. London: Barns and Nobel, 2004. pg 242-44. Print
- “Norway” Geohive, n.d., http://www.geohive.com/cntry/norway.aspx 12 October 2013
- “Religion of Norway” Best Norwegian, n.d., http://www.bestnorwegian.com/religion.html 12 October 2013
- "Top 5 Viking Experiences in Norway” Innovation Norway. n.d. http://www.visitnorway.com/us/What-to-do/Attractions-Culture/Top-5-Viking-experiences-in-Norway/ 12 October 2013.
- “Trolls of Scandinavia” Troll Mother Designs, 2008. http://trollmother.com/index.php/trollhistory 12 October 2013