Stories of the Holidays
What would holiday traditions be without stories? While many Canadians tell stories of Santa Claus, his reindeer and his elves Iceland has a few, different stories with some having similar themes, but others are odd and mysterious.
The Yule Cat
source: http://www.christmasornaments.com/articles/images/pic2_3.png
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- The Yule cat is a folk tale from Iceland. There are many variations of the story but there is usually one main message. You must get a new piece of clothing before the holidays start or you will be taken and eaten by the Yule cat. The cat is usually depicted as giant and black. This quite a variation from many other stories as it is the people who can’t or won’t by new clothing who are eaten. It is thought that this was an incentive for people to work hard up until the holidays and have enough money for new clothing; some people think otherwise though and think it has origins in Norse mythology.
The following is a poem about the Yule cat which gives a very good description of the story:
You all know the Yule Cat
And that Cat was huge indeed.
People didn't know where he came from
Or where he went. He opened his glaring eyes wide,
The two of them glowing bright.
It took a really brave man
To look straight into them. His whiskers, sharp as bristles,
His back arched up high.
And the claws of his hairy paws
Were a terrible sight. He gave a wave of his strong tail,
He jumped and he clawed and he hissed.
Sometimes up in the valley,
Sometimes down by the shore. He roamed at large, hungry and evil
In the freezing Yule snow.
In every home
People shuddered at his name. If one heard a pitiful "meow"
Something evil would happen soon.
Everybody knew he hunted men
But didn't care for mice. He picked on the very poor
That no new garments got
For Yule - who toiled
And lived in dire need. From them he took in one fell swoop
Their whole Yule dinner
Always eating it himself
If he possibly could. Hence it was that the women
At their spinning wheels sat
Spinning a colorful thread
For a frock or a little sock. Because you mustn't let the Cat
Get hold of the little children.
They had to get something new to wear
From the grownups each year. And when the lights came on, on Yule Eve
And the Cat peered in,
The little children stood rosy and proud
All dressed up in their new clothes. Some had gotten an apron
And some had gotten shoes
Or something that was needed
- That was all it took. For all who got something new to wear
Stayed out of that pussy-cat's grasp
He then gave an awful hiss
But went on his way. Whether he still exists I do not know.
But his visit would be in vain
If next time everybody
Got something new to wear. Now you might be thinking of helping
Where help is needed most.
Perhaps you'll find some children
That have nothing at all. Perhaps searching for those
That live in a lightless world
Will give you a happy day
And a Merry, Merry Yule.
Translated by: Vignir Jónsson
Gryla and Leppaluoi
Source: http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/5875679-Gryla_and_Leppaludhi_Akureyri.jpg
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The Story of Gryla and Leppaluoi is a frightful one for small children. The story tells of Gryla and Leppaluoi two bloodthirsty child-eating ogres. It is said that the ogres come down from the mountains to take the naughty children with them to eat! It is said that the only way the children can escape with their lives is by being good, redeeming themselves. Gryla and Leppaluoi are also said to be the parents of the Jolasveinar, but many people do not believe this. This story is a very popular one as it is used to get children to behave. There are even public depictions of the ogres and there is a large statue of them in downtown Reykjavik.
The Jolasveinar
source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUu5o9cuUFY/UKUG2gftk0I/AAAAAAAAAWU/GGNZXMvDSAY/s1600/jolarsveinnar_090.JPG
The Jolasveinar are thirteen lads also known as the Yuletide Lads. They are said to come down from the mountains and into the towns to leave gifts in the shoes of the good children and potatoes and reminders to be good to the naught children. They all have their own odd name s and days in which they are said to come. After Yule day they are said to leave the towns, one by one back, to the mountains. This story is used to inspire children to be good and not naughty as not many children want potatoes and “be good!” notes on their shoes. Here are the days of and names of the lads:
“Stekkjarstaur” or “Gimpy”
“Giljagaur” or “Gully Imp”
“Stúfur” or “Itty Bitty”
“Þvörusleikir” or “Pot Scraper Licker”
“Pottasleikir” or “Pot Licker”
“Askasleikir” or “Bowl Licker”
“Hurðaskellir” or “Door Slammer”
“Skyrgámur” or “Skyr Gobbler”
“Bjúgnakrækir” or “Sausage Snatcher”
“Gluggagægir” or “Window Peeper”
“GáttaÞefur” or “Doorway Sniffer”
“Ketkrókur” or “Meat Hooker”
“Kertasníkir” or “Candle Beggar”
December 12th is Gimpy’s day
The 13th of December marks the coming of Gully Imp
December 14th is a day to celebrate the arrival of Itty Bitty
December 15th celebrates the coming of Pot scraper licker
December 16th is a day celebrated pot licker
December 17th celebrates the coming of bowl licker
December 18th is for the celebration door slammer’s arrival
December 19th celebrates the coming of Skyr gobbler
December 20th celebrates Sausage Snatcher’s coming
December 21st is a day for the celebration of Window Peeper’s arrival
December 22nd celebrates the coming of Doorway sniffer
The 23rd of December is for the celebration of Meat Hooker’s arrival
The 24th of December is met with large celebration as it marks the coming of Candle Beggar; thus having all the yuletide lads arrived.
“Stekkjarstaur” or “Gimpy”
“Giljagaur” or “Gully Imp”
“Stúfur” or “Itty Bitty”
“Þvörusleikir” or “Pot Scraper Licker”
“Pottasleikir” or “Pot Licker”
“Askasleikir” or “Bowl Licker”
“Hurðaskellir” or “Door Slammer”
“Skyrgámur” or “Skyr Gobbler”
“Bjúgnakrækir” or “Sausage Snatcher”
“Gluggagægir” or “Window Peeper”
“GáttaÞefur” or “Doorway Sniffer”
“Ketkrókur” or “Meat Hooker”
“Kertasníkir” or “Candle Beggar”
December 12th is Gimpy’s day
The 13th of December marks the coming of Gully Imp
December 14th is a day to celebrate the arrival of Itty Bitty
December 15th celebrates the coming of Pot scraper licker
December 16th is a day celebrated pot licker
December 17th celebrates the coming of bowl licker
December 18th is for the celebration door slammer’s arrival
December 19th celebrates the coming of Skyr gobbler
December 20th celebrates Sausage Snatcher’s coming
December 21st is a day for the celebration of Window Peeper’s arrival
December 22nd celebrates the coming of Doorway sniffer
The 23rd of December is for the celebration of Meat Hooker’s arrival
The 24th of December is met with large celebration as it marks the coming of Candle Beggar; thus having all the yuletide lads arrived.