The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-12-28
NORWAY ANDSWEDEN
YULETlDE CUSTOMS IN THE LAND
OF THE VIKINGS.

generally build their homes as near each
other as convenient. Often five to sovcu
families live adjoining, constituting a
miniature village. After the first day
has passed the enjoyment commences.
Dancing is the principal enjoyment for
the youth, while tho old people and the
children stay at home and rchCarso
tales that arc roplcto with orgies and
"NissCn," or "Tomtegubben," rs he
also is called. The latter is n miniature
being that corresponds in many aspects
to tho Scotch brownie, but is quite
Santa Clauslike in general appearances.
The tales hat are told nave been handed
down from generation to generation,
and were ut II time believed, and even
i'll some districts considerable credenco
is still given to what is stated about
these unnatural beings.
Nilsson is the being that is of the
greatest interest to the young. Flo is
not Il bad fellow at all, if he can only
have his way. Whcro 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, no is possessed with supcr
natural power and can do much to
shape tho fate of Il person, either good
or bad Great caro- is therefore eNcr-
cised to do what is known will please
Nilsson. Special attention must bc given
him Christmas eve. Should he como
around after midnight and his favorite
dish, romegrod, has not been placed
outside near tho door, trouble will re-
suit.
When the people awake in the morn.
ing, they can expect to find their cattle
in a terrible condition. Nisscn general
ly vents his vengeance ON the animals
Of tho farm. They will be tired tho
next day, showing that NisScn has been
playing somo prank with them, thereby
keeping sleep from them. Articles in
tho barn will be found topsy turvy,
while the horses have been turned
around in their stall, but if tho dish
has been placed out for him he is hap
Ply. He shows his grutofulness 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 curricd SO they
look fine as silk, while the COWS give
twice their usual amount of milk. In
many cases tho wood has been split.
Many supcrstitious people on this &C.
casion bar tho door with u piece of steel.
They are afraid of him, and steel is
tho only thing that Nissen has no power
over. He has often been known to have
entered the house and stolen food. Many
a hired girl can vouch for tho fact that
she has heard him climbing about on
the shelves of the lardcr, and ever in a
few cases he has been seen.
h youth still in Il manner retain
the habits OF their ancestry. At eventido
they gather together from the small
villages II visit their ncighbors. AS Il
rule, the ground at this time of year il
heavily covered with snow, and tho trip
has to be made on skis. This is ono 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 tho art of standing on
them in the deep declines and rugged
hills. The young people go from neigh
Dor to neighbor gathering more Of them.
They have often no particular d~estina-
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 is
in readiness for them III tho wa of
food, drink and music. Tho fiddler
strikes up his merry tunes, and those
present are hurled into a vortex of mer-
riment.
In most parts of the country this fea-
u is in no way married, and tho dance
goes ON until late in the morning, when
the young go homo, only to meet some
where else the following night.
In some Of the primitive parts of Nor
q AZ Guldbrandsdalen and Voss.
nSnts were INDUCED fn III years gono
by. This custom has not entirely chang.
ed, but the fatalities that were SO COM
mon thcn do not exist now. Then when
a couple went to ono of these dances
the girl would generally take her Low.
er's funeral gown along, fully expect.
ing that he would need it before tho
night had gone.
In the southern part Of Sweden, Yul.
lotta, a custom that is very beautiful, is
recognized by the pcasantry. The early
morning mass at 4 80 Christmas day Ia
attended by nearly every one. The
ember OF the congregation nave often
as far as seven miles to walk through
the snow. They come from all direc-
tions in delegations, each carrying a
long pole upon which q piece Of pitch
Is burning. AS tho surroundings are
still in darkness, tho sight of those
moving lights toward one center Is i'm
posing. The hired men in this part Of
the country have a rather peculiar Joke
that they try to play upon each other
Christmas morning. 1t is to try TO get
up early and go over to the neighbors
and perform the chores Of the hired
man there before he gets up. Great de.
light Is taken in the preparation of this
trick.
In h early part of the century IL
was n belief that on Christmas eve all
the unnatural beings joined together in
q grand carousal. They were led by
Thor, the god Of the elements, and they
flew through the air, creating a terrible
morse ana o1ten damage. 0offan welha.
ven's poem "Asgaardsreien" tells of q
decd that was committed by this flock.
1t was Christmas eve, and q wedding
was being celebrated. The bride was of
the fairest and the bridegroom the
worthiest. Many had been invited, and
the general enjoyment was enhanced by
the free flow of liquor. When every one
was in q sleepy condition from its gu.
perfiuous use, tho doors few oven, and
"a brothers Grimm and Ulv entered.
lily. bad Seoently been. refused by the