Jul (Yule), The Brutal Pagan Viking Christmas with Historian Herleik Baklid
Channel: Parminder Gill Visuals
Date: 2022-12-18

In this documentary we explore Viking Jul traditions that have been lost to time with Norwegian cultural historian Herleik Baklid from the University of South-Eastern Norway. Beginning in the Viking era, we look at the pagan history of the winter solstice and Jól, theatrical human and animal sacrifices (Blót), the importance of beer (Øl), the swearing of oaths (Heitstrenging) and the terrifying pagan goat figure (Julebukk).

In the Christianised Medieval era, we examine Pre-Christmas traditions such as street patrols (Julevakter), fasting (Vannfaste), the household cleaning ritual (Julevask) and the bathing tradition (Julebad). As we approach Christmas Eve, things take a frightening turn with supernatural beliefs such as the Wild Hunt (Åsgårdsrei), North Norway’s Jul-Anders and the Icelandic Yule Lads.

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Innvandrer is the Norwegian word for immigrant which literally translates to one who wanders in. “Innvandrers Guide to Norway” is a cinematic vlog and travel documentary series that aims to show what it is like living in Norway and to make Norwegian history and culture accessible to English speaking audiences. Please note that although every effort is made to maintain accuracy, I am a professional videographer and not a historian, academic or linguist.

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SECTIONS
0:00 Introduction
1:40 Pagan Winter Solstice and origins of Jul
4:23 Blót
6:01 Øl and Heitstrenging
8:13 Julebukk
10:04 Mediaeval Pre-Christmas traditions
14:12 Mediaeval Christmas traditions
15:23 Wild Hunt
15:47 Supernatural Beliefs
18:39 Other traditions

AUDIO
Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com (Paintbrush)

MUSIC
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: The Vikings by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5106-the-vikings
Music: Daudir by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7893-daudir
Music: Mjolnir by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6213-mjolnir
Music: Winter Night by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5768-winter-night
Music: Carol Of The Bells [Celtic Version] by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7137-carol-of-the-bells-celtic-version
Music: Celtic Ambiance by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9030-celtic-ambiance
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/

Music: Traveler's Notebook  by Rafael Krux
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5316-travelers-notebook
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

Music: This House by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4525-this-house
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://incompetech.com

Music: After The Blast by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8485-after-the-blast
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://timkulig.com/albums

IMAGES
CC BY-SA 3.0
Tromsø library by Illustratedjc
Germanic languages in Europe - Fobos92 & Hayden120
Viking longhouse - Paul Berzinn
Yule goat Gefle Sweden 2009 - Tony Nordin

CC BY 4.0
Nasjonalmuseet
Old Farm Interior from Setesdal - Olaf Isaachsen
German Farm - Hans Gude
Farm in Eifel - Sophus Jacobsen
Farm at Goldsheim - Adolph Tidemand
Jul - Christian Krohg
Christmas Eve at Sandalstrand - Nikolai Astrup

CC BY-SA 4.0
Lohri Festival Ritual from Punjab - Benipal hardarshan
Lohri - Sukhan saar
Langhus fra vikingtiden - Dag Frognes
Oseberg offerhenging tegning - Kulturhistorisk museum, UiO
Drinking scene on an image stone - Berig
Kar - Kulturhistorisk museum
Brewing Western Norway Farmhouse Ale - Anders Flatlandsmo
Grýla and Yule Lad - Andrii Gladii

CC BY-SA 2.0
Viking Unst - David Dixon
Julebukk - Norsk Folkemuseum
Julbock - Burlövs kommun

Jon Raudes Brakteat - NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet (CC BY 2.0)

#vikingjul #norwegianchristmastraditions #christmasdocumentary