The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-25
NORWAY AND SWEDEN
YuLET.DE CUSTOMS m THE LAND
OF THE VIKINGS.
Superstitions Regarding Nissen, the Scan
dinavian Santa Claus-Pranks of the
Uly and Grimm.

ouperstitions negdruihB NlSseu, the scan-
dinavian Santa Claus--Pranks of the
Hired Men-Legend of the brothers
Ulv and Grimm.
The peasantry of Norway and Sweden
generally build their homes as near each
other as convenient Often five to seven
families live adjoining, constituting
miniature village. After the first day
has passed the enjoyment commences.
Dancing is the principal enjoyment for
the youth, while the old people and the
children stay at home and rehearse
tales that are replete with orgies and
"Nissen," or "Tomtegubben, as he
also is called. The latter is miniature
being that corresponds in many respects
to the Scotch brownie, but is quite
Santa Clauslike in general appearance.
The tales that are told have been handed
down from generation to generation,
and were at one time believed, and even
in some districts considerable credence
is still given to what is stated about
these unnatural beings. -N
Nissen is the being that is of the
greatest interest to the young. He is
not bad fellow at all, if he can only
have his way. Where he lives no one
knows. 1t is supposed that he spends
the days sleeping in some of the hills
or under the ground. Although he is
small, he is possessed with super
natural power and can do much to
shape the f!te of person, either good
or bad Great care is therefore exer-
cised to do what is known will please
Nissen. Special attention must be given
him Christmas eve. Should he come
around after midnight and his favorite
dish, romegrod, has not been placed
outside near the door, trouble will re-
suit.
When the people awake in the morn
ing, they can expect to find their cattle
in terrible condition. Nissen general
ly vents his vengeance Ola the animals
of the farm. They will be tired the
next day, showing that Nissen has been
playing some prank with them, thereby
keeping sleep from them. Articles in
the barn will be found topsy turvy,
while the horses have been turned
around in their stall, but if the dish
has been placed out for him he is hap
py. He shows his gratefulness in deeds.
When the hired man in that case goes
out to the barn Christmas morning, he
may expect to find all his chores done.
The horses have been curried SO they
look fine as silk, while the COWS give
twice their usual amount of milk. In
many cases the wood has been split
Many superstitious people on this &C.
casion bar the door with piece of steel.
They are afraid of him, and steel is
the only thing that Nissen has nopower
over. He has often been known to have
entered the house and stolen food. Many
a hired girl can vouch for the fact that
she has heard him climbing about on
the shelves of the larder, and even in a
few cases he has been seen.
The youth still in a manner retain
the habits Of their ancestry. Ateventide
they gather together from the small
villages and visit their neighbors. AS a
rule, the ground at this time of year is
heavily covered with snow, and the trip
has to be made on skis. This is one of
the most delightful features of the cele-
bration. The ski is the national article
of locomotion, and the boys and girls
are adopts in the art of standing on
them in the deep declines and rugged
hills. The young people gofrom Neigh
Dor to neighbor gathering more of them.
They have often no particular destina-
ton, but know they will end some.
where. When they come to some partic,
ularly large farmhouse, they drop their
skis and go inside. Here everything il
in readiness for them in the way Of
food, drink and music. The fiddler
strikes up his merry tunes, and those
present are hurled into vortex of mer
riment.
In most parts Of the country this fea
ture is in no way married, and the dance
goes on until late in the morning, wher
the young go home, only to meet some
where else the following night.
In some of the primitive parts Of Nor
way, as Guldbrandsdalen and Voss
fights were INDUCED in in years gon,
by This custom has not entirely chang
ed, but the fatalities that were so com
mon then do not exist now. Then wher
q couple went to one of these dances
the girl would generally take her low
er's funeral gown along, fully expect
ing that he would need it before tn,
night had gone.
In the southern part of Sweden, Yul
lotta, a custom that is very beautiful, il
recognized by the peasantry. The early
morning mass at 80 Christmas day il
attended by nearly every one. Thu
members of the congregation have Otter
as far as seven miles to walk through
the snow. They come from all direc
lions in delegations, each carrying {
long pole upon which piece of pitcl
is burning AS the surroundings arr
still in darkness, the sight of thos,
moving lights toward one center is i'm
posing The hired men in this part O
:, the country have rather peculiar jok
that they try to play upon each othe1
Christmas morning. 1t is to try to ge
up early and go over to the neighbor
and perform the chores of the hire
man there before he gets up. Great de
light is taken in the preparation of thi
trick.
In the early part Of the century i
was a belief that on Christmas eve al
~, lo,,,r,s 1oinoJ tpcyotbar, !,