Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Blaðsíða 26

Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Blaðsíða 26
 the reykjavik grapevine26 may 15 - may 29, 2003 THE SEA HORSE F O L K S A G A S by Björk Bjarnardóttir Iceland is said to be the land of fire and ice, pure nature and magnificent landscape. But what many people don’t know is that Iceland is also the land of monsters, elves, trolls, ghosts and little people. When the first settlers came to Iceland about 1000 years ago, every hill and rock was said to have been alive with all kinds of creatures. Folklorists have traced the roots of these Icelandic creatures to Scandinavian and European folk beliefs. However, in Iceland these creatures have taken their own distinctive shape, a shape that is not to be found anywhere else in the world. This uniqueness comes from the inner mind of Icelandic people and is heavily influenced by the nature that surrounds the people and the creatures. Folktales and legends are not always built on reality, however, through the tales one can read the attitude to morality and the faith people had back then. Icelandic nature plays a big role in the Icelandic folktales. The harsh environment and the unpredictability of nature shaped many of the stories along with the fear people have of the unknown. As time passed the stories were collected and moved from oral tradition to large written collections of Icelandic folktales First published around the mid 19th century these books continue to be in great demand and I dare say that there is not a person in Iceland that has not read some of them at one time or another. The creatures of the tales differ greatly some of them have been known to be very helpful to the Icelandic people, but beware, they can also be vengeful and dangerous if proper care and respect is not shown in their presence or in their habitat. When you travel around Iceland, keep in mind that trolls inhabit the mountains and most small hills are the homes of the hidden people or elves. The lakes and the sea are home to various mythical beasts like mermen, sea horses, sea monsters and giant worms. If you were to ask an Icelander today if he believes that hidden people, trolls or ghost really do exists, you are unlikely to receive a straight answer. An Icelander will very likely say something like “ I believe that there is something, I can’t say for sure because I have never seen one but people talk about these creatures so who am I to say that they don’t exist?” People in Iceland do not necessarily believe that these creatures exist but they are very unlikely to deny their existence either as such a denial might anger the ones that cannot be seen. There are many people in Iceland that do believe that, some if not all, of these creatures still live in Iceland. The modern era it has not been an easy one for some of these creatures, for like other things that belong to nature, Man is constantly demanding more space for his houses, factories and infrastructure, which drive the beings of nature to seek peace and quiet somewhere else. So please, when on your travels around Iceland, take care not to drive off the road and show respect to the country, because you never know if you might be in the presence of trolls, ghosts or hidden people. Angering these creatures of old might well incur their wrath and then nothing can save you aside from some very old magic formulas that are known to precious few living Icelandic people. The Sea horse The sea horse or water horse lives in rivers, lakes and occasionally in the sea. In Icelandic it is called Nykur or Nennir. It looks very much like a horse and is usually grey in colour, although occasionally known to be brown. Its hooves and fetlocks are special in that they are the opposite of normal horses. In winter, when cracks appear in the ice-covered lakes, a loud roaring sound may be heard; this is said to be sea horse neighing. The sea horse bears foals like other horses, but does so in water. Sea horses have been known to impregnate mares belonging to humans. If the resultant crossbreed is ridden over a river or lake and the water touches its underbelly, it will lie down, a habit said to be inherited from the sea horse. The sea horse tends to lurk near lakes and rivers that are difficult to cross, where it’s tameness lures men into mounting it. When this happens it will plunge straight into the water and lie down, submerging the rider. The sea horse is highly sensitive to certain sounds and at the mention of his own name, or indeed any word that sounds vaguely similar to it, it runs off into the water. If on the other hand, it hears the sound of church bells, it will disappear into the ground. Once upon a time four children were playing in a hayfield near a farm by a large lake. Suddenly they saw a grey horse and ran over to it. One of the children mounted it, then another and another until only the oldest child was left on the ground. The three urged the remaining one to join them as there was still plenty of space, the horse’s back being so long. The oldest child refused, claiming not to be bothered. The horse immediately ran off and disappeared into the lake with the three children on it’s back. The oldest child ran home and told the tale of what had happened. It was clear to everyone that this had been a sea horse. ( Taken from the book Myths and Monsters in Icelandic Folktales) If you were to ask an Icelander today if he believes that hidden people, trolls or ghosts really do exist, you are unlikely to receive a straight answer. Cover image of the book Myths and Monsters in Iceland. Illustration by Guðrún Tryggvadóttir. The sea horse in action. Illustration by Guðrún Tryggvadóttir. The book Myths and Monsters in Icelandic Folktales shows you the other side of Iceland: that aspect of the Folk-tales that acquaints you with the mythical beasts that inhabit and protect Iceland. These stories have been specially retold by Björk Bjarnadóttir and illustrated by Guðrún Tryggvadóttir. This book is for the whole family and gives a perfect insight into the mythical hidden world that exists in Iceland. Classified advertisements in the Reykjavik Grapevine Classified ads can be a way to get what you want, get rid of what you don’t want and aquire stuff you might later need to get rid of. Nobody likes empty boxes, especially not editors with space to fill, so for the second issue of the Grapevine only, we offer the classifieds for free! Classified ads apply only to private individuals. Place your ad for free!!! ITEMS Stuff Wanted Stuff Desperately Needed Stuff Given Away Stuff for Sale JOBS Jobseekers Help Wanted Will Work For Food REAL ESTATE Flats offered Flats wanted Flatmates wanted ANNOUNCEMENTS Throwing a party and no one wants to come? Tired of streaking when no one is looking? PERSONALS Men seeking women Women seeking men Men seeking men Women seeking women Men seeking small animals Contact us by e-mail at grapead@strik.is to get your ad in the Grapevine. 50 words max for each classified ad Or just whatever you can think of

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