The White Falcon - 04.12.1992, Side 5

Stekkjastaur
Stiffleg
Dec. 12
Giljagaur
Noise Maker
Dec. 13
Stufur
Shorty
Dec. 14
Pottaskefill
Potscraper
Dec. 16
Thvorusleikir
Spoonlicker
Dec. 15
Askasleikir
Food Bowl Licker
Dec. 17
Hurdaskellir
Doors lammer
Dec. 18
Icelandic Christmas customs
On Christmas, many children wait for the
appearance of a kindly, old man known as St.
Nicholas or Santa Claus, but in Iceland, the
children wait for the Yuletide Lads.
The Yuletide Lads range in number from
nine to 13, with the latter figure appearing in
print in 1864. Original names included Sheep-
Cot Clod, Meat Hook, Gully Gawk, Bowl
Licker and a few others that change from time
^ time.
W Although the Yuletide Lads are considered
The friends of children today, it was not always
that way. They were first mentioned in a 17th
century poem, “Ballad of Giyla.”
According to the ballad, Gryla was an ogre,
who ate unruly children and the Yuletide Lads
were her offspring. Many Icelandic parents
used Gryla as a tactic to scare their children
into being good.
However, in 1746, the idea was formed for
getting rid of this practice. In the “Edict on
House Discipline in Iceland”, this scare prac-
tice was still accepted in various parts of the
country and it wasn’t until the late 19th century
that changes were made.
In the 19th century, the Yuletide Lads were
no longer considered cannibals. They still had
a mischievous and thievish manner about them
attributed to Giyla and their association to her.
Their appearance, which originally resembled
orgies, now developed into a human likeness
though they were still big, ugly and clumsy-
looking as before.
As time went by, even this began to change
as they assumed more of an international Santa
appearance, not only in their stature and cloth-
ing, but in their disposition as well.
The Yuletide Lads became friendlier with
children, bringing gifts, singing and telling
stories. With development of Christmas ad-
vertisements, a new emphasis was placed on
the Yuletide Lads. They became more and
more accepted as Santa’s elves, due to their
magical powers. This acceptance, which
started first in the towns, soon spread to the
neighboring countryside.
The number of Yuletide Lads was nine,
according to an old nursery rhyme, but in Jon
Am as on’s “Folk and Fairy Tales,” published
in 1864, the figure was 13.
How the latter number was reached was that
one of the Yuletide Lads came down from the
mountain each day, with the first one arriving
on Christmas Day and the last one leaving on
the 12th night, which is the last day of Christ-
mas.
During the past 50 years, various children’s
poems have been written about them, as well
as the State Broadcasting Service presenting a
Christmas “Children’s Hour,” which still
honors the names and numbers of the Ice-
landic Yuletide Lads.
Icelandic children receive gifts on eachnight
the Yuletide Lads visit, if they are good. Each
night they put their shoes in their bedroom
windows...and each morning they find a pres-
ent. If they are bad, they receive a potato. So,
instead of getting a Christmas stocking filled
once...they receive a total of 13 presents
(usually candy).
If your child is waiting this year to see old
St. Nick, remind him or her about the Yuletide
Lads, who bring the Christmas spirit to Ice-
land.
Dec. 19
Bjugnakraekir
Sausage Snatcher
Dec. 20
GAttathefur Meat Snatcher Dec. 24
Sniffer Dec. 23
Dec. 22
December 4,1992
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