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NORWEGIAN TRADITIONS

Nisser: Norway’s love of barn elves and gnomes 

Nisser are beloved by Norwegians, with the magical creatures playing a huge part in the country's Christmas traditions – however that wasn't always the case. 

Published: 15 December 2023 15:11 CET
Pictured are two nisser in Norway.
Nisser are a big part of Christmas in Norway. Pictured are two nisser in Norway. Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

Nisser are small supernatural creatures that could be compared to a gnome or an elf. They have existed in Norwegian folklore for centuries and are heavily associated with Christmas in Norway. 

As with many traditions in Norway, folklore from before and after the rise of Christianity are intertwined in nisser lore.

After the Chrsitianisation of Norway, nisser saw a fall in popularity as they were seen as ungodly.

During the period of national romanticism, the period which also saw bunads and other symbols of Norway celebrated, nisser became more popular and became a symbol for Norway to the point they were later associated with campaigns against prohibition and resistance against Nazi occupation. 

It is during this period they started to become more intertwined with Christmas. Initially, they had little to do with the holidays until they began to appear on Christmas cards. 

The exact origin of the word nisse isn’t completely clear. Some point to it being a version of the name Nils – the Nordic form of Nicholas. Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas is referred to as Julenissen (literally translated as the Christmas nisse) in Norwegian. 

Santa Claus is also reliant on the help of elves, also called nisser. 

However, nisser had existed in Norway long before becoming associated with Christmas. Santa Claus originally had nothing to do with nisser, despite the name. This link became clearer over time, though. 

Another origin of the word may also be derived from the Old Norse niðsi, meaning “dear little relative”. This is in keeping with the benevolent nature of most nisser. 

The benevolent nature is due to nisser living in barns and homesteads. They typically act as secret guardians and will protect family and animals from evil and misfortune. They also supposedly help with chores and farm work. 

This more benevolent side to a nisse may result from a change in spirits or a PR campaign because previously, they could be known for being quick-tempered and taking joy in others’ misfortune. 

For this reason, many choose to leave out some porridge for the nisse or nisser at Christmas. They believe this will keep them in the good books of the nisser. They may also leave out porridge for Father Christmas (Julenissen) instead. This tradition is similar to kids leaving milk, cookies or mince pies out for Satna Claus. 

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NORWEGIAN TRADITIONS

The things foreigners in Norway find confusing about May 17th 

Constitution Day, or May 17th, is a fantastic occasion in Norway. Foreigners living in the country also love getting in on the celebrations – but a few things about the day can be confusing. 

Published: 15 May 2024 16:06 CEST
The things foreigners in Norway find confusing about May 17th 

Often referred to as Norway’s national day, May 17th is much beloved in Norway. The parades and festivities are a must-see (and also pretty hard to miss) for anyone in Norway on the day. 

There are plenty of traditions that can seem strange from the outside looking in, including bunads, parades, singing the national anthem, and waving flags. Even after you’ve experienced them a few times, they can still feel puzzling. 

How to celebrate 

One aspect that can confuse foreigners, even those with a few May 17ths under the belt, is how exactly the date should be celebrated. 

While the parades are an obvious starting point, traditions can vary across families, cities and regions. 

Many will start May 17th with a combination of a typical Norwegian breakfast, with or without champagne, and then go to watch the parades. 

After that, things become more unclear. Some choose to celebrate the rest of the day with family, grilling or playing garden games. 

Others choose to party hard, whether at parties, bars, or special May 17th events. 

Meanwhile, some cities have large gatherings after the parades, torch processions, or fireworks in the evening. 

Our tip would be to choose what you like most about May 17th and go with the flow. 

Thankfully, as long as you don’t do something stupid like desecrate the Norwegian flag or spend the day antagonising people, there doesn’t appear to be a “right or wrong” way to celebrate the occasion. 

What to wear 

Outfit choice can be tricky on May 17th. People normally dress their best, be it in a traditional bunad, a suit, or other smart clothes. 

For foreigners, this can be tough. For starters, most probably do not feel Norwegian enough to wear a bunad but want to dress nicely for the occasion as a show of respect. 

Therefore, finding something that makes you feel comfortable, doesn’t feel underdressed, and is also appropriate for whatever the weather is can be a tricky balance. 

Some people wear folk costumes from where they are from, which for the most part goes down well as very few Norwegians hold an attitude of “this is our day and not yours”.

What other people are wearing

This is perhaps more the case for newcomers to Norway, but seeing a bunad for the first time can be strange. Seeing thousands of people decked out in “national costumes” (as they are sometimes referred to) can be overwhelming. 

Given that the costumes date back centuries, seeing the old mixed with the modern can also be surreal—for example, seeing someone in a bunad whizz by on an e-scooter. 

Even as you become more accustomed to seeing national costumes and learning more about them, you could confuse yourself trying to work out the origin of the bunad given the designs, colours and embroidery unique to different regions of Norway. 

The national pride

As the day marks the signing of the Norwegian constitution, it’s no surprise that its themes centre on national pride and identity and feature plenty of flag waving and singing of the national anthem. 

This can be puzzling for foreigners, as in some places, patriotism and national pride have been hijacked by populist and far-right movements and used as a tool to cause division.

Other foreigners may also be critical of the idea of a monarchy and how heavily they feature in the day’s proceedings. 

However, in Norway, no one really questions these things. This is just as well because, for the most part, May 17th demonstrates how you can celebrate a country’s essence without hijacking it for the wrong reasons. 

The locals in Norway generally choose to include those who also wish to celebrate May 17th rather than exclude them. 

It’s the fact that Norway is able to maintain a strong sense of national pride on May 17th while remaining inclusive that some may find confusing. 

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