One of Iceland's Christmas folklore tales is that of the Jólasveinar. As with most folklore, there are many variations but the one that stands out today is that of 13 Christmas men or Yule Lads. Beginning 13 days before Christmas, one of the Yule Lads visits every house on their appointed day. On Wednesday we went to the National Museum to see Pottasleikeir or the Pot Licker as he is know in English. He came to visit with the children and tell his story. One author says it is a good thing these lads arrive at daily intervals, otherwise there would be a calamitous free-for-all, as they each head straight for the kitchens. The Pottasleikeir's preference is for licking the leftovers off the sides and bottoms of pans, and especially for nibbling at the crunchy hardened bits that collect around the rim.
The three characters we collected are Giljagaur who would hide in the animal quarters and wait until the milkmaid´s attention was elsewhere and then steal the creamy froth from the milk pail; Hurðaskellir who loves to disturb everyone's sleep by slamming doors; and Skyrgámur who steals from the Skyr barrels.
1 comment:
That is so weird. I love it.
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